All gardeners urged to do vital task before planting garden centre flowers

Before you plant your garden centre , consider doing this one thing.

If you're adding new plants to your this year, chances are you've been to a and picked up some fledgling plants that you're hoping will thrive in your outdoor space.

Picking up from a garden centre can be an easy and quick way to fill flowerbeds and pots. You don't have to endure the hassle of caring for delicate seedlings, which require shelter from the elements and much more attentive watering.

But did you know that there's a way to get even more for your money when shopping at a garden centre?

Buying plants can quickly become expensive, but according to one expert, one handy could increase the number of plants you purchase without spending any extra cash.

Adam Kirtland shared a video on in which he said paying for one plant from a garden centre could actually give you as many as three or four plants for your garden if you follow the right steps to get the most out of them.

He said: "If you want to save some money in the garden, get one of these larger pots [from the garden centre] and do this."

The gardener explained that plants sold in garden centres already have "fantastic root systems" as they're often established plants. While they will thrive in your garden as they are, their complex roots also mean they're "really good for splitting".

Splitting involves separating the plant into smaller sections that can grow independently - giving you more plants for your money.

Adam said: "Using a sharp fork or a trowel, pop it in the middle and give it a good bash. What you'll get is two even halves of a plant. I know it seems harsh, but the plant loves it.

"You can either leave it there with two halves, or get really extreme and split those halves again and get four plants. Each one of these new plants can be planted out in your garden exactly the same way that you were going to plant that large one out."

In the comments, one keen gardener asked for a list of plants that this technique would work on, and Adam responded to say that he would encourage it for plants like Hosta, Hardy Geranium, Sedum, Astilbe, Bergenia, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Phlox, Alchemilla mollis, Crocosmia, Japanese Anemone, Aster, and Campanula.

How to split plants

• Choose the right time: The best time to split plants is during their dormant or growing season, usually in the early spring or early autumn. Avoid splitting during hot weather to reduce plant stress.
• Prepare for division: Water the plant the day before splitting to reduce stress and make the process easier.
• Remove the plant: Tip it out of its container or gently dig it up if it's in soil outdoors.
• Separate the rootball: Use your hands, a garden fork, or a trowel to divide the plant into several sections. Ensure each section has roots, stems, and healthy growth.
• Replant the divisions: Plant the newly divided sections in their new locations. Make sure the crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) is at the same level as it was before.
• Water and care: Water the plants thoroughly after planting to help the roots settle and hydrate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged for the first few weeks while the plant establishes.