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Alright, let’s talk about how to split up them creeping phlox plants, you know, the ones that spread all over the ground like a pretty carpet. I ain’t no fancy gardener, but I’ve been doin’ this for years, and it always works out alright.
Why You Gotta Split ‘Em Up
Well, sometimes them plants get too crowded, just like a bunch of chickens in a small coop. When that happens, they don’t bloom so good in the middle, and the leaves start lookin’ thin. That’s when you know it’s time to give ’em some space. Or maybe you just want more plants, ain’t nothin’ wrong with that! More pretty flowers for everyone to see. You don’t wanna wait too long, you know. Best time to do it is early in the spring, when things are just startin’ to wake up. Don’t wait till it’s hot as blazes, the poor things will just dry up and die on ya.
Gettin’ Down to Business: Diggin’ Up the Plant
First thing you gotta do is get yourself a good shovel, one that’s sharp. Don’t go usin’ no flimsy little thing, you’ll be there all day. You gotta dig around the plant, all the way around, like you’re makin’ a circle. Go deep enough so you get all the roots, but don’t go crazy and chop ’em all up. Once you got that circle dug, you gotta gently lift the whole plant outta the ground. It’ll be heavy, so be careful, don’t go hurtin’ your back. If the ground is hard as a rock, water it good the day before, makes things a whole lot easier.
Cleanin’ Up the Roots
Now, once you got that plant outta the ground, you’ll see it’s got a big ol’ ball of roots and dirt. You gotta knock off some of that dirt, just shake it gently, or use your hands if you don’t mind gettin’ dirty. You wanna see what you’re workin’ with, you know? Don’t go washin’ it with the hose though, that’s too much water. Just get the loose dirt off so you can see where to cut.
The Big Split: Makin’ New Plants
Here’s the important part. You gotta take that big plant and split it up into smaller pieces. Each piece needs to have a good bit of roots and at least three or more little stems growin’ out of it. If it doesn’t have enough roots, it won’t make it, simple as that. Use a sharp knife or even your shovel to cut through the roots. Don’t be scared, just make a clean cut. You don’t wanna go tearin’ and rippin’ at the roots, that’ll just hurt the plant. If you find any old dead parts, just get rid of them, they ain’t no good to nobody.
- Get a sharp tool.
- Make sure each piece has plenty of roots.
- Cut cleanly, don’t rip.
Plannin’ ‘Em Again
Okay, so now you got a bunch of smaller plants. Time to put ’em back in the ground. You gotta pick a good spot, somewhere they’ll get some sun but not too much, and where the ground ain’t too wet or too dry. Dig a little hole for each plant, not too deep, just enough to cover the roots. Put the plant in the hole, fill it up with dirt, and pat it down a little, not too hard though. You want the plant to be snug but not suffocated. And don’t go plantin’ them too close together, give them plenty of room to spread out. They need their space, just like we do.
Waterin’ and Waitin’
Once you got them all planted, you gotta give them a good drink of water. Not too much, just enough to get the soil nice and moist. And then you gotta wait. It might take a little while for them to settle in and start growin’ again, but don’t you worry, they will. Just keep an eye on them, make sure they don’t dry out, and pretty soon you’ll have a whole bunch of pretty creeping phlox, spreadin’ all over the place and makin’ everything look nice. And you did it all by yourself, ain’t that somethin’?
A Few Extra Tips
Now, if you’re like me, you don’t like to waste nothin’. So if you got any little pieces of phlox left over that have some roots, don’t just throw ’em away. Stick ’em in a pot with some dirt, water ’em, and see if they grow. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t, but it’s always worth a try. And don’t forget to give your plants a little bit of food every now and then. Just some good ol’ compost or some of that plant food you buy at the store, that’ll help them grow strong and healthy. And that’s about all there is to it. It ain’t rocket science, just a little bit of work and a whole lotta patience. But it’s worth it, trust me.
Final Words
So there you have it, that’s how you go about dividin’ them creepin’ phlox plants. It ain’t hard, and it’s a good way to get more flowers without spendin’ a bunch of money at the store. Just remember to be gentle, give ’em plenty of water, and don’t forget to enjoy the pretty flowers when they bloom. Now go on, get out there and get your hands dirty!
Tags: [creeping phlox, plant division, gardening, spring gardening, flower care, plant propagation, garden tips, how to divide plants]
