We, the snowdrop bulbs, rest peacefully beneath the soil. This period of dormancy is our time to gather strength, waiting for the signals from the world above. The cooling temperatures of autumn and the shortening days tell us that the time for our great division is near. This is the optimal moment for you to assist us, as we are dormant and experience less shock from being moved. Disturbing us while our foliage is still green and active is stressful and can deplete our energy reserves, which we need for the next flowering season.
Please approach this task with a gentle touch. Using a garden fork, carefully loosen the soil in a wide circle around our clump. Avoid driving the fork directly through us, as this can pierce and damage our delicate bulbs. Gently lift the entire clump from the earth, shaking off the excess soil to reveal our interconnected network. You will see that we are not a single entity, but a colony—a mother bulb surrounded by her offspring, the offsets, all connected by a basal plate.
This is the most crucial step. Our natural desire is to multiply and colonize new areas. With your hands, gently tease our clump apart. Some connections may be firm; for these, a clean, sharp knife can be used to make a precise cut. Ensure each new division has at least three to five of us bulbs. Larger divisions will establish themselves more quickly and are more likely to flower for you the following spring. Discard any of us that feel soft, look diseased, or are damaged, as we cannot grow from these.
Now, prepare our new homes. We prefer a spot that offers dappled sunlight or light shade, with well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Plant our newly separated clusters at a depth approximately three times our own height. This means covering us with about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of soil. Space us about 3 inches apart to give each new cluster room to breathe and expand into a new, beautiful clump over the coming years. Position us with our pointed ends facing upwards towards the sky.
Once we are nestled in our new locations, water us thoroughly. This initial watering is vital as it settles the soil around our roots, eliminating air pockets and providing the moisture we need to begin establishing new root systems before the deep winter cold sets in. A light mulch of leaf mould or compost can be applied to protect us from temperature fluctuations and conserve moisture, mimicking the natural forest floor we so adore.
