It’s been fun to enjoy the warm weather so late in October and neglect my September garden chores. September is usually the time when you divide bearded iris that have been planted three or four years and have grown together. Irises have rhizomes or underground stems and propagated by division. You can share your favorite colors with friends or increase your favorite plants and flowers. There are just a few steps to follow.

• First, carefully dig out an entire clump out of the ground using a shovel or spading fork.

• Second, wash the soil off the roots and trim the leaves into a fan shape about 6 inches long. The roots should also be trimmed to about 6" long.

• Third, cut the healthy young outer rhizomes at the intersection points with a knife from the older thick plant. Discard the old rhizome and those without leaves. Make sure each section has at least one bud (eye) preferably several. Each rhizome is a distinct plant with its own leaves and root structure.

Iris before division. (photos by Karen Norton)

Cutting iris apart. NOTE: old, spent iris has no leaves.

After cutting-now divided.

Iris in ground after dividing.

Replant the new divisions just below the soil surface in three to five plant groups. Irises grow outward from the fan of leaves, so the fan should face out of the circle to allow for growth. The soil should be kept moist but not too wet until the iris is established.

Let me hurry up and divide my irises and don’t forget to put plant your spring bulbs now!