I had some daffodils pushing up at Christmas time. The cold made them think twice about an early start. I have heard that as long as they don't open up and leaf out they should be fine. Covered in snow right now which will give them protection from the minus 5-10 degrees (-10 inland where I am) Fahrenheit and wind chill of minus 20-30 expected this weekend here. It is cold now and going to get a lot worse. They looked fine before they were buried in snow. I expect they will be fine. I don't know about hosta, but they must have a similar 'antifreeze' in the crowns that daffodils and other bulb plants have in the bulbs and evidently in unfolded spouts. After all it sometimes it freezes two feet deep here and hosta survive, dormant buried. Once they unfold the added surface area must radiate too much heat and they freeze and die off. This is why we huddle up to stay warm. ;-} With temps in the high 30's I'm pretty sure you will be fine. They say 70 seconds in the cold we are going to have can start to cause frostbite. Jon

spring and fall sun is much less intense than summer shade .. akin to dusk and dawn being lesser ... i simply wouldnt consider it a variable ... they should emerge acclimated to ambient sun .. no big deal there ... i would think.. emergence time is genetic.. based on where it came from.. back in history .. with no leaves on the trees .. a frost freeze event could be bigger ... if your pushing that envelope a bit ...and of course.. they need to be hardened off if they came from a warmer clime ken

Hi, Pieter! What's new in your garden? Do you have anything sprouting yet? Thank you for the heads-up re leaving roots in water too long but I have a story to share that I hope you will find interesting. For the past several years I have been leaving hostas in water for various reasons but mainly to rehydrate, as in this case without any repercussions. I have also left hostas (that need transplanting but nowhere to go immediately) all summer in pails of water (ensuring crown is above water level) and I have posted about this previously and included pictures. 100% survival rate. Roots could potentially rot if the water is not kept fresh and changed frequently and/or there is soil or media still attached to the root system.... otherwise, they will actually survive in just water for months on end. They may even sprout dormant buds ahead of time. At least, that has been my experience. Golden Sunburst is a fine example in my garden. I have also frozen exposed hosta roots in water during the winter, outdoors and the plant has survived once planted in its permanent location in the spring. (admittedly a bit radical but no damage or loss) Leaving roots in water also produces additional root growth as well....based on first-hand experience in several instances. Go figure, huh? :)

We have a week with four nights, not in a row even, temps predicted below freezing, starting in March. A week between now and then of beautiful warm weather. I’ll have leaves all over the garden. Pips can take a frost, maybe I’ll cover the leaves and maybe not. I sure would like Winter and Spring to sort out their differences and go back to their old relationship.