Whilst still in the green phase Dian89. That is the best time. Good luck with them. :O)

Thanks Oliveoil

Many on GoY will agree with Oliveoil, but I don't!
Whilst they still have green leaves they are collecting energy from the sun (!) to feed the bulb and the roots are taking up water from the soil. When you lift and split them you break the roots connection with the soil and their growth stops. Ideally they should be lifted when dormant - the problem there is that you can't see where the little devils are after the leaves have died off. I would suggest lifting them at the last possible moment before the leaves disapear completely.

Good compromise, Bulba!

Hiya Dian89
Don't believe it.
The very best way to split snowdrops is just as the flowers have faded. That way you get all the benefit of the flowering period and you can still see where they are.
If possible lift them and carefully try to keep as much soil as you can around the roots. I replant almost immediately with a bulb planter and a good hand full of compost mixed with sand about 75/25%
Who told me that ? None other than Titchmarsh.
He may not know Chopin from chopping but he really is a good plantsman.
SouthportSmith

So is Bulba actually...

Many thanks for all your help. Still some faded flowers on them, so I think I will wait till they are green, had a beautiful show off them this year, wanted to lift and split them so I have them in another little bed.

Dian89 particularly as you are going to split them do feed with half strength tomato food until the leaves die back. I totally agree with Bulba in terms of when to lift - and yes I am his wife! However you never read advice to life and divide other bulbs 'in the green' and I do believe it sets the bulbs back. Wait until the leaves have nearly died down and then life and move.

RHS advice is to do it the way Bulbaholic says. I must admit that I mark the clumps I want to split and then do it when they have gone dormant. Or just wait for the moles to dig some up for me and replant them.

Perhaps the important thing is not to let the bulbs dry out after lifting. Bought snowdrop bulbs seldom take as well as in-the-green ones and maybe this is the reason?

I agree Steragram the bulb must not be allowed to dry out after lifting. The majority of our spring bulbs are from the Mediterranean and so get baked in summer even though they are in the ground. Many snowdrops come from areas like the Crimea where it do not get baked in summer.

We all do things differently, I have found that this method works for me. Bulba is very experienced with bulbs so maybe his advice is the way to go. I always lift mine with a massive clump of soil anyway so perhaps that is why they are ok for me. I have moved them at all times of the year too. Moles push up bulbs in summer and I plant them elsewhere in the garden they seem to be ok even after that trauma. lol. Hope whichever way you choose you get lots more from your clump.