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Dig up the entire plant to be divided using a pitch fork (it's much kinder to the root system). Use a sharp knife or shovel to divide the plant making sure to have at least 2-3 growing shoots with roots attached to each division. Immediately re-plant and water any divisions you are keeping.

For potted plants:

Use a coffee filter in the bottom of the container to keep soil in while allowing water to drain out (great tip from Karen Noltee!). If you don't have slugs you can leave some of the soil on the roots and supplement that with potting mix; be sure to use a container large enough to hold all the roots - the root ends produce the hormone that signals the plant to grow, so you want to leave them intact if possible! Place the crown at soil level or just slightly below soil level.

Water them well and keep freshly potted plants out of the wind in a shaded location - don't let them dry out completely.

For bare root plants or if you have slugs:

Rinse all the soil off the roots by swishing it in a large bucket of water - then dip it in a 10% bleach solution to disinfect the fresh cut. Change the water from plant to plant (if you are doing several divisions from one plant you can re-use the water). Rinse the root ends in fresh water before wrapping the roots in damp papers or paper towels and immediately slip a plastic bag around the wrapped roots securing it with rubber bands to keep the roots moist - the rubber bands should be snug enough to hold things in place and keep moisture in rather than strangling the plant.

Keep bare root plants in a cool, shaded location like a garage or basement. They will be fine under these circumstances for 5 days at least as long as the roots don't dry out.

Be sure to disinfect your tools, pitch fork, shovel, knives, etc with a 10% bleach solution between plants!

Please choose only healthy plants for sale (and the upcoming swap!). That means no distorted, funny colored (splashed, blotchy, streaky) leaves - unless of course it is one of the more unusual varieties meant to have those characteristics.

If you have other questions, please call (507) 289-2614 or email prestonplants@aol.com .

Cindy