Thank you for the encouraging replies, I have transplanted them and they should be fine for the coming winter and fresh blooming next spring. They really did need thinning out and were crowded. Thanks! =)

what choice do you have .... GO GET THEM .... if they are small plants.. and subject to heave ... plant them all together .... and get a bale of hay .. and when the ground freezes... loosen the hay.. and pile it on 6 to 12 inches deep ... my ONLY concern in z5.. is mid winter heave ... the straw should avoid such now go do the right thing ... ken

I moved 60 over the weekend, thank goodness almost all smaller pieces. Be sure to water in well after you plant, and if you are planting smaller pieces, you might mulch once the foliage has completely died down, but it's not essential. Anything that frost heaves will probably survive the winter, and you can replant it in the spring then the ground thaws. You can also keep a bag of potting soil or regular dirt on hand in an area where it won't freeze, and if something frost heaves, scoop enough dirt over the roots to cover them, then replant in the spring. I have a problem with squirrels digging up smaller pieces of hosta in search of the walnuts that might be underneath the hostas, and I don't always find those plants until the ground is frozen, so I always have a bag of dirt/potting soil ready to come to the rescue.

just do it.. and get out of the new owners hair ... move them all to a nursery bed ..... as small an area as you can ... just jam them in there.. and add some mulch .... especially if heave is an issue with small plants .... its usually helpful to know where a poster is... to be more precise with specific winter advice ... in my ground freeze MI ... i could do it until the ground freezes .. though i wouldnt want to be doing such.. if only for how cold my hands would probably get ... just do it.. and be done with it ... you can move them next year.. as your new garden develops ... dont overthink hosta .... they are plants.. not babies ... ken ps: use plastic grocery bags to move them .. unless they are huge ... and if they are.. only take pieces .. who needs all that exercise.. unless you have some teenagers to do the work.. lol ... and keep in mind.. you are moving a root mass... if there are any leaves left.. who cares ....