How to divide oregano, chives and lemon balm

Just bought some potted herbs from the supermarket? Find out how to divide these supermarket herbs to get extra pickings.

Follow these easy steps on dividing oregano, below.

You Will Need

• Spade
• Garden forks (Two)
• Bonemeal fertiliser

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Cut the old stems back hard, then use a spade to lift the whole clump with a large root ball onto a bare patch on the border. Use a tarpaulin sheet on the path or lawn if there's no room.

Step 2

Divide the fibrous root balls cleanly into smaller pieces by placing two forks back to back into the clump, then pulling apart. Discard the oldest part of the plant and divide the rest.

Step 3

Prepare the new planting area. Remove any weeds, dig a hole and soak the bottom of the hole thoroughly. Add some bonemeal fertiliser to aid root establishment.

Step 4

Select the best young outer divisions for replanting, then plant them into the prepared planting holes. Firm them well to avoid the frost lifting them out later in the year.

Oregano aftercare

After dividing, water the plantings initially and again in the first few weeks if the weather is dry. Keep the area free from weeds, but otherwise these groups of plants need little help to provide you with plenty of strong, fresh growth next year.