What is the best way to split up hostas?

It is best to do it early spring or in the fall-dig up the entire root ball, and then use a couple of forks to separate the roots. It may take a year for the separated plants to regain their glory.

First, prepare by digging a roomy hole for the "new" hosta, and fill the hole with water; let the water soak in, fill it again, etc. until the water stops draining away. You want to be sure that the "new" hosta has deep moisture so its roots can grow deeply to find moisture.

Then check the parent plant. If the soil is dry, water the parent plant to be sure the soil around it is moist (not soggy!) Use a shovel to loosen the root ball. You don't have to dig it up. Decide where you want to split up the hosta and use your hand spade, or even a knife, and cut from the top down through the roots. Hostas are tough, so don't worry about shocking the plant. Water the parent hosta and ease it back into the soil; press firmly to ensure that the roots are in contact with soil, and fill in the hole where the "new" hosta had been. Then plant the new hosta in the hole you prepared for it. Water well, but don't soak; just keep the soil moist until the new hosta is established.

I live in the Carolinas, and my hostas require little care. If you notice holes in the leaves (from slugs that you'll probably never see), just use some pelleted slug repellent; you can sprinkle it on by hand....then wash your hands.

Thank you so much

Yes. Hostas are easy. My neighbor gave me some she dug up. I cut the bunches apart and planted last fall. Now all are coming up beautifully.

You can't kill hostas. I've even just taken a shovel and chopped a part off of the existing hosta while it's in ground. Just plopped it in a hole n they grow. You really don't have to make a big chore out if it. Although probably the best time to divide then is when they first start to come up.