Separating Grasses

[MaxArk68]

I live in Southern Ontario. I have two clusters (base about 18" in diameter) of a tall (4'-6') perennial grass. I want to separate these grasses to plant a couple more clusters. When is the best time of the year to do that? Fall or spring. I usually cut them down in the late fall. They are very dense at the base, and I believe likely pretty deep, so whats the best method to cut the root base?

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Only a guess, someone may well contradict me, but I would think as they are going into their dormant period rather than coming out of it. I wouldn't want to set them back just as they were getting going, whereas late autumn and they have a nice quiet period to settle down.
The other thing I do if I am not sure is not do everything the same, so I might do one in the Autumn, see how it went, and if it was good do the other next year, if it wasn't I would try the other in Spring, or even try the other in Spring anyway, both might work.
I would go round the clump with a fork loosening it, cut it in half with the spade, and then lift the halves with the fork. The fork is kinder to the roots around the edge, and cutting it when still in the ground will hold it steady. I have done this with agapanthus. The experts said dig it up and cut it with an axe, but that made an awful mess of it when I tried it. If it is too tough to go through you can hit the spade on the foot rest with a club hammer, that cuts well and you should get it in a couple of cuts, you can chop away for ages with an axe.
Hope that is a bit helpful.

 

[cpp gardener]

I think they'll take better in the Spring. When they're dormant the roots don't grow and they'll have a hard time surviving the Winter.

 

[Owdboggy]

Spring is the optimum time for splitting grasses when they begin to make new roots.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I did say someone might contradict me, both cpp and Owdboggy are experienced, good sources of information; think you should wait 'til Spring.

 

[Anniekay]

It doesn't matter if you do it in fall or spring. I've heard recommendations for both. Grasses are tough and so long as you cut them down and dig up the whole clump getting as much of the roots as possible they'll be fine. They're going dormant in fall so, that's my choice. I use a serrated kitchen knife to divide the clump so that I make a very clean cut. I find that method easier .

 

[Owdboggy]

On the rare occasion when I tried splitting a clump at this time of year, neither the bits nor the original clump survived.
They just sit without new roots, over winter and rot.

 

[cpp gardener]

Ontario, Canada is slightly cooler than Georgia. That cold will do in all but the hardiest grasses. Spring is safer.

 

[Anniekay]

Ontario, Canada is slightly cooler than Georgia. That cold will do in all but the hardiest grasses. Spring is safer.

And you live in Southern California !! Ontario has similar average winter temps as Massachusetts ( Warwick where I lived) and you argued with me that planting small trees in fall in Massachusetts was GOOD, eventhough I lived there, born and raised. We did that , planted trees in fall and the frost heave and ice storms killed them. remember that @cpp gardener ? but planting grasses in fall is now NO Good, must be planted in spring ? make up ya mind.

Google it and you will see that one professional says fall and another spring. For grasses makes no difference fall or spring. Mulch it after you water it in, like you would with any other plant after transplanting it. It's grass.