How to properly cover hostas for the winter, taking into account the growing region

Hostas require winter protection in all regions where temperatures do not drop below -10˚C. While 0˚C is critical for many varieties, some can tolerate temperatures as low as -2˚C. Preparing hostas for winter begins as early as late August. In the fall, caring for hostas grown in the garden includes fertilizing, pruning, watering, treating with fungicides and insecticides, and providing shelter. Hostas need to be insulated consistently, with the method and materials chosen taking into account the regional climate. There are a number of helpful tips for preparing hostas for winter in open ground, step by step.

Rules for autumn care of hosta

Hostas overwinter well outdoors, so there's no need to dig them up in the fall. However, they do require some systematic preparation, the first step of which is regular watering to keep the soil moist to a depth of approximately 0.5 meters. It's recommended to avoid watering the foliage. As the weather gets colder, gradually reduce the watering intensity, and when the outside temperature reaches 12˚C, stop watering. Otherwise, care for your hosta in the fall is as follows:

1. Before pruning for the winter, remove all faded buds from the foliage plant. This is done to prevent the hosta from wasting energy on unnecessary parts, as it will need these nutrients to survive the frosts. Don't pluck the buds by hand; instead, cut them with pruning shears or pruning shears.
2. The final feeding is done in late August or September. To maintain the hosta's health, it's recommended to choose a complex fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium compounds. These nutrients are fully absorbed by the root system and help the ornamental foliage plant survive the winter without weakening.
3. To prevent pest attacks and disease development, before preparing shelter for the winter, the hosta is treated with fungicides and insecticides.

Trimming

Before covering hostas for the winter, they must be pruned. This is done to remove excess foliage, which could harbor harmful insects hoping to survive the cold weather by using the plant as a source of nourishment. Also, if the foliage is not pruned, it will rot over the winter and become a major pest attractant. Pruning begins after the foliage has turned yellow and begun to fall. During this time, minerals are released into the root system. It is not recommended to pluck excess foliage by hand, as this can damage the plant. Therefore, it is essential to use either pruning shears or garden shears. Avoid cutting off all above-ground foliage; instead, leave stumps 5-7 cm above the ground.

Read alsoIs it necessary to prune and cover hostas for the winter, and when? Hostas are relatively easy to grow. They thrive in the shaded areas of the garden and don't require frequent watering or repotting. However, the most challenging time for this plant is winter.

Shelter for the winter

After pruning, begin preparing the shelter. First, create a layer of mulch. This will prevent moisture loss and also retain some heat, which this ornamental foliage plant requires in winter. Mulch the hosta's root zone, where organic matter is distributed. The following natural materials are recommended for mulch:

• wood shavings or sawdust;
• dry grass;
• peat mixture.

Mulch must be treated with fungicides and insecticides. After mulching, begin covering the hosta with additional material. This is best done in warm, windless weather when the soil is dry. The covering material is placed on top of the mulch, and stones are placed on top to secure and protect the ornamental foliage plant from rodents. To insulate the hosta, you can use the following:

• spunbond;
• agrofibre;
• burlap.

Don't use polyethylene or roofing felt. They create a greenhouse effect. Heat accumulated under the polyethylene (or roofing felt) will disrupt the natural growth of the ornamental foliage plant. As a result, the hosta will begin to rot, with the root system being the first to suffer, though this won't be immediately noticeable. Condensation will also accumulate under these materials, which, combined with the heat, will trigger the active development of fungal infections.

Wintering peculiarities by region

The timing of winter preparation varies and depends on regional climate conditions and current weather. In the fall, any variety of ornamental foliage, even those with increased frost resistance, must be insulated. In some regions of Russia, mulching the soil under the bush in November is sufficient, while in others, full sheltering is required as early as early fall.

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Central Russia, the Volga region, and the Leningrad region

In the Moscow region, Bryansk, Brest, and other temperate regions, hostas require protection to preserve them and prepare them for frost. To protect the plant, simply cover the root zone with mulch; if a cold winter is predicted, it's worth additionally covering it with non-woven material. This should be done in the last days of September and until the end of the first ten days of October.

In the Volga region, unlike in the central part of the country, mulch and spruce branches laid on top provide sufficient cover during the first autumn frosts. In this region, sawdust (or shavings) mixed with peat is recommended as mulch. When snow falls, it must be collected and piled up over the hosta bushes. Covering begins in the first ten days of October and must be completed by mid-autumn.

In the Leningrad Region's climate, winters are usually mild and not too cold. Therefore, in this region, hostas can be mulched; peat or dried grass treated with fungicides and insecticides are ideal. When forecasters predict a cold winter, the bushes should be additionally covered with non-woven material. This should be done in the second half of October until the first days of November.

Urals and Siberia

In northern regions, hostas require multi-layered protection. Winters in Siberia and the Urals are frosty, so mulching and a single layer of non-woven material won't be enough for this ornamental foliage plant. A thick mulch layer is created by first using sawdust (shavings) mixed with peat, followed by a layer of processed and dried grass. After mulching, the hosta's frost protection consists of the following layers:

• coniferous branches – spruce, pine or juniper branches;
• non-woven agricultural material with large pores;
• After the snow falls, a snowdrift is made over the plant.

Southern regions

In the south of the country—in the Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, and the Caucasus—this plant requires minimal protection. A light layer of mulch around the roots is sufficient for normal overwintering. In southern regions, preparing shelter for this ornamental foliage plant begins no earlier than the last days of October. If the autumn is warm and a mild winter is predicted, hosta can be insulated as early as the first ten days of November.

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Common mistakes

Hosta is one of the low-maintenance ornamental plants that can be grown outdoors in any region. However, if the grower makes mistakes during pre-winter preparation, the bushes may slow down their development or even die. In most cases, improper sheltering leads to the destruction of the root system of this ornamental foliage plant. Hosta is also susceptible to disease and pest attacks. Therefore, it's important to avoid the following common mistakes in pre-winter hosta care:

1. Repotting bushes in the fall won't give the plant time to recover before winter. The latest deadline for this procedure is August, but it's best to do it in the spring.
2. By applying complex fertilizers containing a high nitrogen content, instead of preparing for dormancy, the plant will begin to grow green mass.
3. Overdrying of the soil - hosta is a moisture-loving plant, so you should not stop watering until the first autumn night frosts.
4. Late pruning prevents the plant from healing the damage, and infection can enter the cut areas, leading to the death of the bush. It's best not to prune; this will cause less damage.
5. Greenhouse effect – the hosta will be warm under the roofing felt and film, but these materials will also provide a suitable microclimate for the development of fungi and the activity of pests.

Preparing hostas for winter begins in late August or early September. This process is carried out in stages, starting with removing flower buds, then applying complex phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and treating with fungicides and insecticides, and finally trimming fallen foliage. Next, prepare the shelter: mulch the soil, cover it with a suitable material, and then pile snow on top. In warmer regions, mulch is sufficient; additional insulation is not necessary. The key is to prepare the hosta promptly and select the right materials; otherwise, the plant may not survive the winter.