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If your bearded iris are overcrowded like this or failed to bloom in spring - it is time to dig, divide and replant for better bloom next season.

Start the process about 6 to 8 weeks after the iris bloomed or in some cases should have flowered. Carefully lift the clump out of the ground with a shovel or garden fork.

Now separate the thick fleshy rhizomes. Cut away and discard old leafless, shriveled, borer-infested or rotted rhizomes.

Next cut the leaves down to 4 to 6 inches to reduce moisture loss.
Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting your divisions.

Set your iris in place, spread out roots and cover with soil. The rhizomes should be even with the soil surface in heavy soils and just slightly lower in sandy soils.

Water to help remove air pockets and get your iris off to a growing start.

A bit more information: Discovered iris borer while transplanting? You can help reduce future problems with a bit of fall cleanup. The adult borer is a day flying moth that lays its eggs in the leaf debris. By removing all the dead iris leaves in fall, you will break the life cycle and usually eliminate the problem.

For more gardening tips, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com

About Melinda Myers
Melinda Myers, best known for her gardener friendly and practical approach to gardening, has more than 30 years of horticulture experience in both hands-on and instructional settings. She has a bachelor's degree in horticulture from The Ohio State University and a master's degree in horticulture from University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a certified arborist, and was a horticulture instructor with tenure.

Outside the classroom, Melinda shares her expertise through a variety of media outlets. She has written over 20 books, including Can't Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts "Great Lakes Gardener," seen on PBS stations throughout the United States, and "Melinda's Garden Moments", which air on network television stations throughout the country. She appears regularly as a guest expert on various national and local television and radio shows. She also writes the twice monthly "Gardeners' Questions" newspaper column and is a contributing editor and columnist for Birds & Blooms magazine. In addition, she hosted "The Plant Doctor" radio program for over 20 years and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine.

For her work, community service and media presence, Melinda has received recognition and numerous awards, including the 2003 Garden Globe Award for radio talent and the Quill and Trowel Award for her television work, both from the Garden Writers Association. She has also received the Garden Communicator's Award from the American Nursery and Landscape Association and the Gold Leaf Award for Arbor Day from the International Society of Arboriculture.

For more information, visit Myers' web site www.melindamyers.com