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I need suggestions on planting technique.

16 years ago

Ok, I have the beds ready. The grass is all killed and they're edged. Because of tree roots, I don't have the option of tilling in amendments. But my soild is a sandy loam and is super easy to dig into, when roots aren't around!

I have about 40 hostas, about 1/3 of them are in 1 G pots and the rest are in 4" pots.

I'd like to hear about what you do to ensure success.

*What amendments (if any) or time release fertilizer--even if TRF is something you'd only recommend for spring plantings--just mention that!

*I remember reading something about tape? What kind, where, how long, etc.... I remember Ken posting about it at one point.

*Mulch--I will likely be using a cyprus/cedar mix. How much should I put down now, and how much after the ground is solid? Is there such a thing as "too much" mulch?

*Leaves--as the leaves fall, I was thinking about shredding them and putting them on top of the mulch. I'm assuming by next spring, they might look a big ratty though? Or is it not very noticible?

Anything else I'm missing?

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Comments (5)

esther_opal
16 years ago
I'm assuming by next spring, they might look a big ratty though? Or is it not very noticible?"

It only matters what you see, I like the natural look and don't want the mulch to be the focus or even really noticed at all.

"MY" minds eye sees cypress like a woman with to much and bright lipstick on. Carefully defined mulch beds also show anything out of place or messed up. Mine are already messed up.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
you are in zone. 4 ... isn't it going to snow in a few weeks ??? ... NO FERT .... and with the trees.. NO FERT EVER ... the trees will just come and take it ... and hosta just dont need any other soil amendments.. in loam ....

i am sure you can find the topic HOW TO MOVE MATURE (OR FULLY LEAFED OUT) HOSTA with the search button ... like i would have to ...

do NOT put shredded leaves on top of hardwood mulch ... you may as well cover the mulch with soil ... and that isn't what we want... mulch the bed.. but leave a ring of a foot or two around each hosta.. if you want to fill that area with the leaves. that would be great ... after the ground freezes ...

dig hole .. loosen the soil .... grab the pot... tape the leaves ... pull out of pot... knock off potting soil .. into the hole ... stir with native soil .. insert in hole.. push in firmly .... water thoroughly ... mulch the bed with the hardwood after all the hosta are in .. leave the tape for a week or two ... add leaves after the ground freezes ....

the crown should be within one inch of the soil surface ...

good luck

ken
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kcmojoe
16 years ago
Ken,
whats the purpose of taping the leaves? and shoud this be done when planting the Hosta for the first time?
I just planted my first Five Hosta as noted in "Finally did it ... " forum, should I tape the leaves on those or just leave be and keep watering?
yardmom
16 years ago
Dig a hole, remove the hosta from the pot, loosen the soil around the roots, place in the hole, planting it at the level it was in the pot, and keep watered. No need to fertilize it now since it will be going dormant soon. Mulch it but keep it back a few inches from the crown. The shredded leaves can be put on before mulching if you have some or on the bare spots, but its not very beneficial to put it on top of the mulch. Unless the hosta is tall and leggy and unable to stand, or if it is huge, and the leaves are in the way of planting, it is not necessary to tape them.
deshima
16 years ago
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