September in Ohio offers perfect conditions for relocating certain garden plants. The combination of warm soil and cooler air temperatures creates an ideal environment for roots to establish before winter arrives.
Many perennials benefit tremendously from being divided and moved during this transitional month, giving them ample time to settle in before frost.
As an Ohio gardener myself, I’ve found that plants moved in early fall consistently outperform their spring-moved counterparts when the growing season returns.
1. Dividing Daylilies Before Frost Arrives
After several years in one spot, daylilies form dense clumps that produce fewer blooms. September is perfect timing to dig and divide these beauties in your Ohio garden.
The soil remains warm enough to encourage root growth while the cooler air reduces transplant stress. Simply use a garden fork to lift the entire clump, then separate it into smaller sections with 2-3 fans each.
Replant immediately at the same depth, water thoroughly, and add a light mulch layer. Your divided daylilies will reward you with vibrant, abundant flowers next summer.
2. Hostas Settle Best When Moved Now
Growing too large or crowded? September provides the perfect opportunity to relocate these shade-loving favorites. The cooling temperatures reduce transplant shock while giving hostas enough time to establish before winter.
Carefully dig around the plant’s perimeter with a sharp spade, preserving as much of the root ball as possible. Division isn’t necessary unless they’ve grown massive – then use a clean knife to separate.
Water consistently after transplanting, especially during any dry spells. Ohio’s fall precipitation often helps, but don’t rely on it entirely for these moisture-loving plants.
3. Giving Peonies Room To Expand
Despite their longevity, peonies occasionally benefit from relocation, with September being the prime time in Ohio. Moving these long-lived perennials now gives them the maximum time to establish before flowering season.
Carefully dig around the plant, creating a wide berth to preserve the root system. When replanting, ensure the eyes (pink growing points) sit no deeper than 2 inches below soil level – deeper planting prevents blooming.
Don’t expect flowers the first year after moving; peonies prioritize root establishment. Your patience will be rewarded with decades of magnificent blooms in their new location.
4. Why Irises Thrive After A Fall Relocation
September offers ideal conditions for moving irises in Ohio gardens. These beloved perennials benefit from division every 3-5 years as they become crowded and flowering diminishes.
Dig up the entire rhizome clump and trim the foliage to about 6 inches. Inspect closely, discarding any soft or damaged sections while keeping healthy rhizomes with strong fan growth.
Replant with the top of each rhizome partially exposed above soil level. Space them 12-18 inches apart, pointing the leaf fans outward. Water sparingly after planting – irises prefer drier conditions that prevent rot.
5. Ornamental Grasses Need September Shifts
September provides the perfect window for relocating ornamental grasses in Ohio gardens before they enter dormancy. The still-warm soil encourages quick root establishment while cooler temperatures reduce stress.
Use a sharp spade to dig around the entire clump, then lift it carefully. For larger varieties, division might be necessary – use a saw or sharp knife to cut through the dense root mass.
Replant immediately at the same depth as before, creating a shallow basin around each plant to capture moisture. Water thoroughly and consistently until the ground freezes to ensure successful establishment.
6. Sedum Spreads Better After Autumn Moves
Fall’s mild conditions create the perfect opportunity to relocate overgrown sedum in Ohio gardens. These drought-tolerant succulents establish quickly when moved in September, forming stronger root systems before winter.
Simply dig around the plant’s drip line and lift the entire clump. If it’s several years old, consider dividing it into smaller sections – each piece will quickly grow into a full plant next season.
Choose a new location with excellent drainage and full sun. In Ohio’s clay soils, consider adding coarse sand or small gravel to improve drainage and prevent root rot during wet winters.
7. Coneflowers Bounce Back Better When Moved Now
September provides optimal timing for relocating coneflowers in Ohio gardens. Moving these native favorites now allows their fibrous roots to establish before winter while minimizing disruption to their growth cycle.
Carefully dig around the plant’s perimeter, preserving as much of the root ball as possible. Water thoroughly before and after transplanting to reduce shock. Consider dividing congested clumps into smaller sections if they’ve been growing in one spot for several years.
Apply a thin layer of mulch around newly transplanted coneflowers, keeping it away from the stems to prevent rot. By spring, they’ll reward your efforts with robust growth and abundant blooms.
8. Black-Eyed Susans Benefit From New Locations
September provides the perfect opportunity to relocate these prolific bloomers in Ohio gardens. After a few years, black-eyed Susans often form dense clusters that become less vigorous and more susceptible to disease.
Lift the entire clump with a garden fork, preserving as many roots as possible. Divide the plant if needed, ensuring each section has healthy roots and several stems. Ohio’s typically moist fall weather helps these plants establish quickly.
Choose a new location with full sun and good air circulation. Space divisions 18-24 inches apart to prevent future crowding and promote better flowering next season.
9. Shifting Hydrangeas While Weather’s Mild
September’s moderate temperatures create ideal conditions for relocating hydrangeas in Ohio gardens. Moving these flowering shrubs now allows their root systems to establish before winter without the stress of summer heat.
Prepare the new planting location first, enriching it with compost. Dig a wide circle around the shrub, preserving as much of the root ball as possible. Trim back approximately one-third of the branches to reduce transplant shock.
Water deeply and consistently after transplanting, especially during any dry spells. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect the roots from Ohio’s temperature fluctuations during the establishment period.
10. Garden Phlox Performs After Fall Transplanting
September offers the perfect window for relocating garden phlox in Ohio landscapes. Moving these perennials now allows them to establish strong root systems before winter dormancy while reducing disease issues.
Lift the entire clump with a garden fork, then divide if necessary – older plants benefit from division every 3-4 years. Discard the woody center portions and replant only the vigorous outer sections with healthy roots.
Choose locations with good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew, a common problem in Ohio’s humid summers. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and water consistently until the ground freezes to ensure successful establishment.