Autumn is a great time to divide hardy herbs, such as marjoram, chives, mint and thyme. Wait until they’ve flowered before digging them up, dividing them at the roots and replanting. Hey presto, two plants!
It’s not difficult to do at all. First, dig up the plant or part of a plant that you wish to divide (see below for a complete list of what you can divide). Now, take a sharp knife, a saw or just some sharp kitchen scissors and cut the plant in half at the root ball to divide the plant into two.
Now, you can either immediately replant both halves or plant one half and carefully tease out smaller shoots from the other half. The smaller shoots each need their own little root system to remain intact, and then they can be popped into small pots to grow on.
Plants that can be divided:
- Chives
- Mint
- Lemon Balm
- Thyme
- Lemongrass
- Tarragon (once it is mature – e.g. 2-3 years old)
- Marjoram
- Oregano