After over a decade of wandering the greenhouses in the northern New England, my perennial gardens are filled with delights that continue to amaze me. Living in a large, 180 year old colonial home of towering proportions, most of my gardens have developed quite naturally along the acre or so that winds down behind the house to the stream. Each summer I have religiously filled front beds with annuals to fill in between the iris, pulling them out promptly after the first hard frost.

This year I choose to conquer and divide. Most perennials appreciate this work with the exception of peonies who sit happily in their little plot for many, many decades. And perhaps the poppy cringes when the shovel appears, preferring to sow its seed close to the mother plants.

Yet so many perennials thrive when divided and placed in a new home, returning the favor of division with strong, free-flowing plants. And so, this year, as the summer wanes I will pull out the spade and begin the magical journey of relocation.

Often, impatient gardeners will do this too early in the season. This or that doesn't quite fit and so move it now. I believe the garden should be left in peace for most of its season to flower furiously and then again after an aggressive round of deadheading. Then, as the days shorten and cool the time to dig and divide begins. I plan no great strategy. The flowers that thrill me during the summer find their way into the new spot that I nourish with organic matter along with a shot of fish emulsion and/or a B-12 transplanting solution. I have done this over and over in my back gardens. This year the front of the house will benefit from my labors.

Clumps of purple coneflowers, delphiniums, Shasta daisies, yellow bearded iris along with other companions that are now overflowing their spaces will adorn the front facade of this aged but wonderful dwelling. Those that remain in their original beds will breath a sigh of relief, for they will be afforded more room to grow, and I, with only my sweat equity will create another wondrous feast for the eyes without spending a nickel. What a magical way to garden without spending a cent. Try it!