With beautiful August sunshine comes more days in the garden, and what better way to spend this time than beautifying your outdoor space.
If you're looking to elevate your garden this month, one key job to complete is splitting your perennials.
GB News spoke exclusively to gardening and greenhouse expert Lucie Bradley about why and how to do this for a thriving outdoor space. With over 28 years of experience, she's confident that it will make a big difference.
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She said: "Buying new plants for your garden can be expensive, so one of the most important tasks for me as a cost-conscious gardener is to make time to split some of the perennials in my garden.
"I do this not only to increase the number of plants I have and fill spaces, but it also allows me to give plants to my friends for their gardens."
What's more, Lucie explained that dividing perennials is also "really beneficial to them", as it "improves their overall health".
Plenty of perennials, including astilbes, hardy geraniums, hostas, peonies, and sedums, can become overcrowded, the expert warned.
Splitting perennials 'improves their overall health'
|GETTY IMAGES
Splitting perennials allows them to establish new roots before the weather gets colder and they become dormant.
By doing this in August, you can "prepare for a flourishing garden next year".
What's great about this task is that it's "a really simple process", meaning even gardening novices can reap its benefits.
To carry it out most effectively, Lucie advised opting for a "cooler, dry day when your plants are less stressed".
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Allow perennials to establish new roots before the weather gets colder
| GETTY IMAGESHow to split perennials
- The day before, ensure that the plants you are going to divide are well watered.
- Before you lift the plant, make sure you have a new hole prepared to take the 'new' plant.
- Dig up the whole plant, then gently divide it into smaller sections using a pair of forks. If gently prising them apart doesn't work, use a spade to cut through the roots.
- Depending on the size of the plant, you can cut it in half, thirds, etc. The 'new' smaller sections are now ready to replant."
In addition to splitting perennials, green-thumbed Britons can get stuck into a myriad of tasks this month.
For a beautiful outdoor space in August and beyond, plant expert Anastasia Borisevich told GB News readers what they need to do now.
Promising "lush and delicious" results, the expert advised gardening enthusiasts to harvest basil, oregano, and mint.
Next, to keep your garden "buzzing with life", she advised planting nectar-rich flowers like lavender, cosmos, or sunflowers.