A gardener has shared a simple and easy method to double the number of plants in your outdoor spaces – but without spending double the money.
With the arrival of summer, more people are keen to make the most of the warmer weather and enjoy the lighter, brighter evenings. This often results in more time spent outside and for those lucky enough to have a garden or yard space, al fresco dining or simply relaxing in their own private haven becomes a daily highlight of the season.
Lots of people are eager to spruce up their gardens and outdoor spaces with lighting, furniture and an abundance of plants and flowers to add colour and dimension. Plants are a worthwhile investment as they’re not only aesthetically pleasing but they provide vital support to essential pollinators like bees, butterflies and more.
Green fingered enthusiasts often turn to social media looking for tips and advice from professionals and passionate novices alike.
Garden writer, content creator, columnist and podcaster Adam Kirtland has built a loyal online following thanks to his regular videos offering hacks and insight on a variety of outdoor-related topics.
The man behind the popular gardening brand View From the Potting Shed recently took to TikTok with a detailed video focusing on doubling the number of plants in a garden.
Speaking directly to the camera, he said: “Picture the scene. You’re just back from the garden centre and you’re trying to figure out exactly where to put all of your plants.
“But before you do that, make sure you do this. If you want to save some money at the garden center, do yourself a favour and don’t get small plants.
“Get nice big plants like this, and then follow what I do.”
He continued: “Start off by taking your plants out of their pots, and you’ll see that they’ve got really, really good root systems, which makes them perfect for dividing and splitting.”
Adam demonstrated removing a plant from its pot, then placed it on the grass with the flower side facing up. He used a sharp spade to slice the plant in two, pressing onto the tool with his foot.
Narrating his actions, he explained: “Using a sharp trowel or a spade, pop it in the centre, right over the crown, and give it one good push.
“What you’ve now got are two plants for the price of one – but you just wait and see just how well these do.”
The camera then cut to show the plant flourishing. Adam added: “Since I divided this hooker, it’s gone on to be one big happy plant of its own.
“Each of those parts of that plant can go out in your garden exactly how you were going to plant out that original plant.”
In the comments section, he penned: “You can also do this with all these plants: Hostas, Daylilies, Hardy geraniums, Asters, Echinacea, Sedums, Heucheras, Primroses, Bearded irises, Siberian irises, Crocosmia, Ornamental grasses, Bergenia, Pulmonaria, Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle), Ajuga, Lily of the valley, Japanese anemones, Penstemons, Shasta daisies.”
One TikTok user replied: “Just got myself 3 hardy geraniums. Going to try this and plant 6”.
Another lamented: “I just feel I’m going to kill everything when I try splitting.”