When is the best time to divide hostas?
by
Shelly Troup
+13
I have several very large hostas that really need to be divided, I live in zone 5a.
16 answers
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me too... waiting to see an opinion.
Jacqueline Elaine
on Jul 01, 2013
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The best time is in the spring when the snouts are a few inches above the ground but there are no open leaves yet. That's when you can see what you're doing and get a spade in with the least damage. That said, I often dig the whole plant up in the summer as well, put it on a table and divide it, and replant them where I want them. I'm in zone 6 - used to be zone 5 - and find they are tough plants and don't mind me shuffling them around.
141737
on Jul 01, 2013
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I had to dig some up this summer and move them to a different area of the yard. I'm just hoping I don't lose them. They were given to me by a friend no longer here. I'm going to remind those little buggers that they are tough! Thanks for the help!
Jacqueline Elaine
on Jul 01, 2013
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I think you can divide hostas just about any time. The key to doing it in the summer is to do so on an overcast day, and to make sure that they get enough water until they get re-established.
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 01, 2013
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I had to divide my favorite hostas last month due to recent heavy rain coming from a gutter that was over flowing onto the hostas and washing away the dirt until the roots were showing. It was so upsetting watching the rain fall onto my hostas but I got down to work and dug them up and divided them and now I have a whole new bed of hostas and the best part, they will not be harmed by the rain.
Mary M
on Jul 01, 2013
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the best time is in early spring
Lawn Pro
on Jul 02, 2013
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Thanks everyone!
Shelly Troup
on Jul 02, 2013
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like others have said, the best time is spring, on an overcast day....... not so much because you might hurt them otherwise, but if you've got a particularly huge plant it's so much easier to manage!
Annie Stuart
on Jul 03, 2013
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@Shelly Troup I find the easiest time in in the spring - wet earth and visability of the the where the roots are make it easy to divide. I use a bread knife to split them, makes easy work of splitting before digging. But you can split them just about any time, and as Douglas mentioned keep them wet after transplanting.
Gail Salminen
on Jul 03, 2013
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Early spring is the best time, but it can be done any time of the year with care.
Cynthia
on Jul 04, 2013
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I have many hostas. They are very prolific. I have divided them at all times throughout the growing season with no problem, but spring would be best before the full growth of the leaves block what you are trying to do.
Rosalie M
on Jul 04, 2013
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I divided a bunch of mine late spring, early summer and mid summer..hostas are pretty hardy--I take up the entire plant and divide into many more..i dig all the holes and fill the holes with bloom busters (I think thats what its called--similar to rapid gro and then I plant and water them all with more bloom busters with a spray attachment on my hose... I have NEVER had any issues with losing any and they blossom quickly and get nice and big-- I water everyday unless it rains until they have a nice base set of leaves..good luck!
Susan Gebhardt Tortella
on Jul 05, 2013
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RE ABOVE COMMENT--- I follow the same procedure with my day lilies
Susan Gebhardt Tortella
on Jul 05, 2013
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just had to divide mine as had a new walk way put in .. they were hanging in the way..i moved then on other side of deck,, they are doing great
DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN
on May 24, 2014
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For those who mention to do so when it's overcast, why is that? Has me curious :-) Thanks. Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone!
Dgeier
on May 24, 2014
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Dgeier, you will have less stress & wilt from the sun on an overcast day. I place all repotted plants in a shady place for a few days till they readjust to their new homes.
LIB S.
on May 24, 2014
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