Bulbs are appearing and with them the hope that warmer weather is around the corner.

But before things really get going it’s a good time to assess beds.

Perhaps things have got a bit congested or maybe some plants aren’t flowering as well as they could or have lost their shape.

They will benefit from being divided which can help restore vigour and at the same time give you more plants.

Herbaceous perennials, or plants whose growth dies down every year but their roots survive, can benefit from being divided which can be done pretty easily.

You will need two forks, a spade and a tarpaulin.

Dig around the root of the plant you want to divide, lift out the whole plant and drag it on to the tarpaulin.

If possible tease the roots with your hands until you can pull away some of the outer pieces, these are the pieces you want to replant as they are the more vigorous, discard the older middle section.

Shake off soil from roots before replanting. Add some fertiliser and water in well.

If the roots can’t be separated with fingers insert two forks back to back and and use them as levers by pulling apart.

For woodier or solid roots, a spade can be used to ‘cut’ the rootstock into smaller pieces, which can then be replanted.

Tender plants, such as agapanthus, kniphofia and alstroemeria should be divided in late spring when the soil is warmer.

Beds can look a bit of a mess after dividing. There's no better way of making things look better, help soil condition and suppress future weed growth than adding a deep layer of organic matter or mulch. Adding mulch can also insulate plant roots and conserve moisture in the soil.