Hostas are a hardy and durable perennial that requires some care and maintenance in the fall to ensure they grow back healthy in the spring. Here are some things you can do with hostas in the fall:
-
Cut them back: Once a hosta begins to yellow and brown off, it is time to cut it back. Leaving the foliage up all winter can cause all kinds of issues. Both for the plant, and for the garden. Cut back within an inch of the ground and clear away the foliage. Finish by adding a few inches of mulch on top to protect the roots from winter.
-
Divide them: Fall is the perfect time to divide and transplant any of your damaged, weathered, or overgrown hostas. Not only will it clean up your flowerbeds, but it will also help to rejuvenate them for next year to grow better than ever. And, give you more hostas for free! .
-
Mulch: Add a few inches of mulch on top of the cut hostas to protect the roots from winter.
-
Get rid of slugs: If you have a lot of slugs or snails in your garden, removing the dead leaves and putting them in the compost can help reduce the number of pests in your garden.
-
Prevent disease: Removing dead leaves and debris from around the hostas can help prevent disease from spreading.
-
Do not fertilize: You should not fertilize hostas in the fall. Instead, fertilize them in the springtime.
-
Trim flowers - or not: You can trim the flowers of your hostas in the fall, or you can leave them to add some interest to your winter garden.
Overall, cutting back, dividing, and mulching your hostas in the fall can help ensure they grow back healthy and strong in the spring.
