Carol I've been there with the space heater in the garage. Even though I started 'early' in October it was still cold and wet and pretty miserable. There just isn't an easy way to do this tuber dividing unless I'd build a climate-controlled storage building equipped with quadrophonic surround sound stereo, snack bar, espresso stand and of course a bathroom! But no, I just freeze and try to thaw my hands out periodically in front of the heater : (
I used 4 things this year: pvc pipe cutters for thick stalks, floral shears to trim roots and teeny tuber necks quickly, regular pruning shears to get the fat roots or fatter broken tubers out of my way, and the most used thing is a thin bladed "fruit secateur" shears that can stab into the head of the tuber/collar area easily and is sharp enough to make the delicate cuts when getting the tuber off the clump, finish trimming them up etc. I found that dividing after only a day or two of cutting down was much easier generally. The clumps seemed moister and easier to deal with, like fresh snappy carrots instead of an older rubbery one, if that makes sense. I think I could still see eyes pretty easily ( hope i"m not in for a rude surprise in April)
Far and away the handiest tool for me is that fruit secateur shears. It really helps to keep them sharpened too.
As for all the free time in winter because everything else in the world has been done, I think perhaps this may be the year I empty the old kitchen drawer that's been hiding under the desk in our bedroom for going on FIVE years since the kitchen remodel LOLOLOL! How's that for being behind and slothful?
