Forum home Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Can you move hostas at this time of year?

Lena NLena N Posts: 189

I have some hostas which I planted in my borders back in early spring. They grew really well until the slugs found them but they are in a very sorry state now. (I've been out picking off the slugs and snails on many damp evenings but I'm losing the battle.)  I'd like to dig them up and put them in pots with copper tape but wondered if it's ok to move them at this time of year? I'm a newbie and don't really have a clue about these kind of things image

 

Posts

  • Lena NLena N Posts: 189

    Thanks Verdun, I don't have any John Innes so that's given me the perfect excuse for a trip to the GC today! image  Might just have to take a quick peek at the plants while I'm there ... It'd be rude not to image

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    It would indeed Lena image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    Lena, well done you on such an excellent choice of plants.

    I have several hundred hostas , almost all in the ground.

    I've just started lifting some of mine. As Verdun says, they're tough.

    I know it's easy to say, but try to get wildlife into the garden.

    When we moved here almost 4 years ago and planted the garden I scattered those "suet treats" for birds among the plants and the blackbirds happily rummaged about and found the slugs and snails as they went. 

    Leave an area a bit scruffy and you might be lucky enough to attract hedgehogs too.

    I only use slug pellets if one group is under serious attack, but I don't think I've even used 1/4 of a bottle this whole year.

    Devon.
  • Lena NLena N Posts: 189

    Thanks for the advice Hostafan  image

    Sadly I can't encourage the birds to feed on the ground as my next door neighbour has 7 or 8 cats that frequent my garden, so I just have a bird table and feeders at safe distances from the fence. I've also seen a frog in the garden on several occasions image I think he lives in the shade under my camellia. I leave out shallow dishes to collect rainwater for him but I'm not really sure what else to do.

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    cats again eh? image

    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Don't get him started Lena....image image

    Since you have fences - attach cheap carpet gripper rod to the top of them. In total despair - that's what I did a while ago. Keeping them out of the back garden now image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • My hostas grow under a load of trees and against a north-facing fence.  The soil around here is heavy clay but that area is so shaded that it is very dry; consequently, joy of joys, I get no snails/slugs in that area of the garden.  So, if you can, keep 'em dry!

  • Lena NLena N Posts: 189

    At the risk of playing devil's advocate here, I don't really mind the neighbour's cats too much. One of them usually sits next to me and purrs when I'm gardening out the front and demands a fuss (much to my dog's disgust!) image

Sign In or Register to comment.