An empty patch beside the walkway can send you straight to the garden center. An overgrown clump elsewhere in the yard may offer another starting point. The Hollis perennial workshop on October 7 offers a chance to learn about dividing suitable plants.
On Wednesday, October 7, Hollis Social Library is hosting a workshop about making more of the plants already growing at home. “Dividing Perennials to Get Free Plants (Plus a Few Bulb Tips!)” runs from 6 to 7 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. It is open to ages 16 and older, and each attendee needs to register.
The useful question behind the title is simple: which plants can you divide successfully, and which should stay where they are?
What the Hollis perennial workshop covers
Presenter Laura Kozel, a Master Gardener since 2009, will cover how to divide suitable perennials, along with planting and saving bulbs. The library’s description also highlights her interest in native plants and biodiversity. Program details and registration.
For a homeowner, that makes this a chance to look at a familiar yard with more specific questions. Which plants have become crowded? What would you like to keep? Where would another plant actually fit? If you recently moved into a home with established beds, identifying what you inherited is a useful first step before making a shopping list.
A little preparation can make the evening more useful. Take photographs for your own reference, jot down any plant names you know, and note the spots you want to understand better. Those notes can help you connect the general techniques to your own plans.
Timing matters in New Hampshire
There is an important seasonal detail here. In its guidance on dividing perennials, UNH Extension recommends allowing at least eight weeks before the ground freezes for fall divisions. It explains that plants need time to establish roots, and that freeze-thaw cycles can damage poorly established divisions. Many New Hampshire gardeners choose spring instead. UNH Extension’s timing guidance.
That makes October a good moment to learn and decide what belongs on a spring plan. The workshop date alone does not establish that a particular plant in your yard should be divided that week. Plant type, growing conditions and the remaining season all deserve attention.
Plan your visit to the Hollis perennial workshop
The program is at Hollis Social Library, 2 Monument Square. Register through the library’s event page and check it again before heading out. One easily missed detail: the rest of the library will be closed during the program; only the meeting room will be open.
For anyone planning changes outside, the practical takeaway is to start with an inventory. Understanding the plants you already have can help you decide what to keep, what to multiply and what genuinely needs replacing. A notebook and a closer look at the yard are sensible places to begin.
