How to Divide Ornamental Grasses for Replanting

Identify whether your grass grows in the cold months, the warm months or year-round to determine when to divide it. If the grass grows in warm months, or is evergreen, divide it in the spring. If the grass grows in cold months, divide it in the spring or the fall.

Put on garden gloves, since some ornamental grasses have sharp blades. Prune the blades back to 6 inches above the ground using pruning shears.

Insert a shovel into the soil 5 to 6 inches from the base of the ornamental grass clump. Lean back on the shovel gently, then remove it. Continue inserting the shovel and then leaning back on it all the way around the grass clump to loosen the soil. Then slide the shovel as far under the clump as you can and push the shovel handle down to lift the roots from the soil.

Grasp the edges of the ornamental grass clump with both hands and remove it from the ground. Lay it on its side and brush away the soil from the roots using your hands. If needed, rinse the soil off using a hose.

insert your hand in the center of the roots and pull apart slowly until the roots separate. If the roots do not come apart easily, cut through them using a sharp knife.

Examine each separate plant and prune off any roots that are dead or diseased using hand pruners. Dead and diseased roots will appear black or grey, or may have a slimy consistency.

Dig new planting holes immediately and replant the grass into the ground before the roots dry out. Research your specific grass variety for the best soil moisture and sunlight conditions to choose the proper planting location.

Water the new planting sites to a 5-inch depth afterward to help the ornamental grass divisions recover.