A fun way to challenge yourself is to take a softwood cutting to propagate one of your favorite shrubs. Some shrubs that may be propagated are ninebark, lilac, weigela, dogwood and viburnum. The best time to take your softwood cutting is the early morning in late May through July.

The first step is getting your container ready for your cuttings. According to Iowa State University Extension, your container should both retain moisture and have good drainage. Rooting materials commonly used are coarse sand, perlite and vermiculite. After filling your chosen container with the rooting medium, water it thoroughly and allow it to drain completely before inserting the cuttings.

Use a sharp knife or pruners to take a 4- to 6-inch softwood cutting. Make a fresh cut just below a node. Make sure to remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the cutting. For plants with large leaves, you can cut the remaining leaves in half to reduce water loss and conserve space.

It’s important to keep your cuttings cool and moist until you are ready to place them into your propagating container. A dark plastic bag with wet paper towels may be used to store your cuttings. If there is a delay in placing your cuttings, you may store them in the plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Treating your cuttings with root-promoting compounds may aid in stimulating root growth. Prevent contamination of the entire supply by putting some into a separate container. Any material that remains after use should be discarded and not returned to the original container. Dip the base end (cut end) of the cutting into the root hormone; be sure to tap the cutting to remove excess hormone when using a powder type.

Insert the cuttings about 2 inches deep into the rooting medium. After all the cuttings are in place, water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain. To reduce water loss, cover the container with a clear plastic bag, creating a tent-like enclosure. Place the container in bright, indirect sunlight. Check the cuttings daily, and water the rooting medium if it begins to dry out.

Root development typically takes four to five weeks. Once roots have formed, carefully remove the cuttings and transplant them into individual pots filled with potting mix. Consider placing the young plants in a sheltered location to allow them time to mature before transplanting them to their final spot in the landscape.

Walk around your landscape or peek over the neighbor’s fence to find a candidate to give softwood cuttings a try.

Baytos is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.