Question
I have PLENTY of monkey grass and have offered to give some to a friend who wants to plant it in her yard.  Can we just dig out chunks of mine?  All that I'm reading says to dig it up, separate it, and then replant the portion I want to keep.  Sounds like too much trouble.

Answer
Greetings!

Oh, how I love Monkey Grass/Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) and its thickness and carpet of dark green.  You did not say whether you have used the Mondo Grass as a border or as a mass planting!  Regardless, it is easy to dig up and one of the best ways is to use either a plug or bulb shovel (creates a two inch circle when pushed down into the ground, sod or mondo) or a post hole digger (creates a four to five inch circle).  When using either of these types of shovels will allow you to make divots in the mondo which will allow the mass plantings to fill back in quickly.  Just remember to refill the hole with clean planting soil, otherwise the bed will look lumpy and uneven.

When I have dug it up in circles or bought it in full one gallon pots, I always trim the roots and separate the plants into bundles of three to five pips (individual plants) and usually would get as many as 20 bundles per pot or circle.  Sometimes I will trim the foliage back to two to three inches, so the plant can focus on establishing its transplanted roots rather than trying to hold up its long foliage.  In doing this task was a great way to meditate while in the garden.  Then plant each bundle three to six inches apart in a triangular pattern which will be a double row or the start for a mass planting.  This may sound like a lot of work, however the rewards will outweigh the challenge of doing the task.  Enriching the soil with Black Cow or other nutrients really helps in boosting their growth after transplanting.

Good luck!  Have fun!  Hopefully this has helped you for accomplishing your upcoming project with Mondo/Monkey Grass.  Your friend will really enjoy this wonderful plant.  Remember that this plant does not like the full sun and will be happier in a shade or partial shade situation.

Be In Joy!

JSS