Hosta Info

General Information About Hosta

Planting Suggestions for All Hostas

Unless you have loose, loamy soil with excellent drainage in which to plant your new hostas, we suggest you dig an appropriately sized hole [See suggestions below for each size of hosta.] and amend the soil in which you place the plant. Mix equal quantities of top soil, coarse sand, and compost or manure. Take about 1/3 of this amended soil and form a small mound in the bottom of the hole. Spread the roots of your hosta over this mound with the crown of the plant at soil level. Gently fill the hole with the remainder of the amended soil, carefully covering all the roots and creating a slight mound with the plant at the top. As this new soil compacts, the mound will level off.

If you are planting early in the growing season, sprinkling a small amount of a timed-release fertilizer will help the plant’s development. Later in the growing season, be very cautious about the use of fertilizer because new growth late in the season may not survive the winter.

Although hostas need watering about three times a week during dry weather, they also need adequate drainage during the winter months. You do not want most hostas placed in soils that are constantly moist or in areas that would remain wet during winter freezing and thawing cycles. Adequate watering during the growing season is the best way to have really large, healthy plants./ Hostas need some sunlight for growth. Most prefer morning sun; some need filtered sunlight [most blue hostas]; some need more sun to bloom [plantaginea and its offspring]. If a hosta does not appear to do well in one location, try a different spot with a change in growing conditions.

Small Hostas need a hole about the size of a gallon bucket.

Medium Hostas need a hole about 24" wide by 12" deep.

Large to Giant Hostas need a hole about the size of a bushel basket.

Dogwood Farm’s Recipe for Potting Soil

1/3 coarse sand, 1/3 compost or manure, and 1/3 top soil
Early in the growing season we add Green Sand*, Super Phosphate, and Alfalfa Meal** to this mixture.Late in the growing season we add small amounts of Green Sand and Super Phosphate to the basic mixture.

*Green Sand is an organic fertilizer mined in New Jersey. It binds loose sandy soil and loosens clay soils. It contains important trace elements beneficial to plant development and nourishment. It is nontoxic and does not leach away. It is also a good bulb food.

**Alfalfa Meal is a cattle feed usually available at feed supply or farm coop stores. It provides nitrogen to plants and stimulates growth.

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