Does hosta need winter preparation?

Hosta is an easy-to-care-for shrub with decorative foliage. To ensure the plant survives the winter, preparation begins in the fall or during flowering. This requires several essential steps: fertilizing, generous watering, pruning, and covering. Then, with the arrival of spring, the hosta will once again produce large, showy leaves, beautifying the garden.

Winter preparation deadlines

The timing and procedures for preparing hostas for winter depend directly on the regional climate. In the Central Russian region and the Moscow region, the bush must be covered for the winter. A layer of mulch is essential for this. This preparation takes place in late September or early October. In the Volga region, the bush does not require special winter protection. The plant is covered with fallen snow or spruce branches. If a frosty winter is expected, an additional layer of mulch is applied to the soil. This preparation takes place in early October.

Winters in the Ural region and Siberia are typically frosty. Here, hostas won't survive until spring without proper shelter. The root system is protected with a thick layer of mulch. Additionally, the shrub is covered with spunbond or another material. Preparation for winter begins in September.

This shrub grown in southern Russia doesn't require winter protection. Winters in the Leningrad region are typically mild, so hostas don't require special covering. To ensure successful overwintering, mulch the root system with any suitable material at the end of October.

Autumn feeding and watering

To successfully overwinter and protect hostas from frost, they need nutrients. Typically, the plant is fed with wood ash, potassium, and phosphorus supplements. Organic matter is added in dry form or mixed into an aqueous solution:

1. Dry wood ash is scattered around the tree trunk after preliminary soil cultivation, at a rate of 200 g per plant. The area is then watered generously.
2. The solution is made from 5 liters of water and 500 ml of wood ash. The mixture is mixed and 200 ml is poured per plant.

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Superphosphate is essential. Apply it dry, at a rate of 30 g of granules per 1 m² of plantings. Then, water the area generously. Potassium salt is applied in the same manner, at a rate of 30 g per 1 m², or 15 g of potassium sulfate.

Hosta is a moisture-loving plant. It requires abundant watering, otherwise its lush foliage will droop. The shrub is watered generously to thoroughly soak the soil. As autumn approaches, watering frequency is gradually reduced and stopped completely by the first frost.

Trimming

Gardeners' opinions on the need autumn haircuts for hostas Opponents of this procedure argue that the withered foliage acts as mulch during the winter and provides additional cover. Proponents of pruning warn of pests and pathogens that overwinter in fallen leaves.

At the end of summer, remove all flower stalks, as hosta buds are inconspicuous and offer no ornamental value. To promote lush foliage, cut them off immediately after they appear. If any flowers remain, they must be removed with the onset of autumn. The cut is made not at the root, but at a height of 7 cm from the soil. Removing unwanted foliage promotes the accumulation of nutrients in the root system. This plant survives the winter more easily. With the arrival of spring, it devotes its energy to growing new leaves.

Shelter

The shrub is not covered only in southern regions, where temperatures do not drop below -10°C. In the rest of Russia, this procedure is mandatory. The plant is covered with a material that allows moisture evaporation and fresh air to enter. Otherwise, the shoots inside will begin to rot.

The following are suitable for creating a shelter:

• spruce branches;
• sackcloth;
• agrofibre.

First, the soil under the bush is mulched with peat, wood shavings, or another material. Then, the bush is covered completely, including the soil around the crown. If the crown is spreading, the covering material is additionally pressed down with poles or the crown is first tied together with twine.

In northern regions, a multi-layered cover is used. The root zone is first covered with a layer of peat. This is then covered with a layer of pine branches. The crown is then protected with porous geotextile. When snow falls, another layer is added on top. The snow cover provides additional moisture in the spring. It melts slowly, protecting the plant from the spring cold snap.

Autumn hosta care This involves a series of steps. The plant is pruned and fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. Throughout the country, except in the southern regions, the bush is covered with mulch and a special covering. A properly prepared bush will successfully survive the frosty winter.