Hosta Calendar .. A Month by Month Guide for Caring for your Hostas.
- John Plant
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
One of the most useful things for keeping everything in order in the garden is a gardening task calendar. To record all those important jobs that sometimes get overlooked.
Thought you might find it useful to have a Hosta care calendar, so you know what you have to do and when.
Although it is the middle of the year, we thought it would be easier to start in January, when the Hostas look like they don’t need any care, but they do.
If you haven’t got a gardening calendar, now might be a good time to start one.. or just get a notebook to keep a few Hosta tips.
January
Should be a month of rest for Hosta growers with very little that has to be done. Hostas are dormant and fast asleep. Here’s some things to think about.
Diseases often overwinter in dead foliage. If not done already, ensure you remove all the old, dead leaves.
Any pots & containers could be moved, if not done in November, somewhere that is maybe sheltered from the rain, under the cover of trees etc. The winter weather can be very wet, & cold, and plants could die.
January is when we launch our Special Hosta Collection check our newsletter.
February
Almost there. Growing season just around the corner. Let’s start preparing for the season ahead.
Start your slug protection programme, by Valentine’s day. You love them really!
Make and apply your first batch of Garlic Wash. Do this, every two weeks, whilst they are growing. Link to recipe
Top up any grit covered pots for more protection, particularly on the miniatures.
If planning a new Hosta bed, now is the time for pre-planting preparation.
March
By now we should see ‘pips’ popping through. These will be the early risers of the Hosta world.
These will need care & protection from both slugs and frost.
It’s a great time to give your first feed, high in Nitrogen, to your Hostas.
Continue spraying with Garlic Wash.
Now is a good time to consider any Hostas that need splitting.
April
Now is the time that your Hostas will burst into leaf. Some varieties may be a little behind. This is perfectly normal.
Apply Vine Weevil nematodes, imperative if you had them the previous year.
Maintain your Garlic Wash applications
It is still possible to get overnight frosts that could damage the new growth. Keep plenty of frost protection nearby.
May
Hostas are at their best in May. Providing you are up to date with your to do list, there is very little to do except just enjoy them.
Continue with the Garlic Wash
You may need to start watering, particularly the pots & containers.
Update your labelling programme. Ensure every Hosta has a legible label.
Now is a good time to ‘Garden Map’. Making a note of where each Hosta is.
May is our birthday month so watch out for special offers in our newsletter.
June
This is one of the best months for enjoying Hostas. Take a note of those that may need moving later in the year.
Continue with the Garlic Wash
You may need to water everything more regularly as the summer kicks in.
Hostas start flowering in June.
If you are not a big fan of the flowers, this is the time to remove them.
Why not send us photos of your Hostas so we can feature them in our monthly newsletters? Link to Newsletter Archive
July
With the heat of the summer sun, some of your Hostas will now be showing the stress, with scorching or black spots.
You can remove any really badly damaged foliage to keep them looking good.
Continue watering
Continue the Garlic Wash
You can repot any containers that have suffered badly.
August
This is the holiday season of humans, but make sure you look after your Hostas.
Feed them with a high Nitrogen fertiliser to give them a boost.
Keep up the Garlic Wash
Keep watering regularly
Now is the time for removing all the spent flower heads, unless you are planning to collect seed.
Start any garden mapping or labelling whilst the leaves are still on the plant
September
It’s starting to get colder and it’s probably the last month of enjoyment you will get.
Now is the best time to start splitting Hostas, whilst the soil is still warm.
Apply your second spray of nematodes for vine weevil, if you still have a problem with Vine Weevil
This is probably the last time to apply Garlic Wash
October
This is the month when your Hosta foliage is dying back ready for their dormancy. Leaves will be losing their colour and fading fast.
Remove any dead and dying foliage from the plant.
Remove the last of any flowers.
Leave any reasonable leaves on the Hostas. Do not remove unless they will come off in your hands with no effort.
This is a good month to put together your wish list for next year.
November
There won’t be much left on your Hostas now. Winter is almost upon us. Your To Do list is quite short.
Clean up any pots or containers both in the pots and around the pots
Debris contains diseases.
Practise good housekeeping It will pay off.
Move any fragile Hostas such as miniatures, to an area that will get less rain and less frost. Beneath the shelter of trees & shrubs is a good start.
Clean and/or rewrite any missing or faded labels.
Watch our website, November is when we showcase some of our new seasons Hosta varieties.
December
It’s the end of the calendar year, and you probably aren’t thinking about your Hostas, but a little preparation won’t go amiss.
Remove all fallen leaves and debris from your Hosta beds. This can be done with a leaf blower, or carefully with a spring rake.
Remove all debris around your pots and container, to reduce the overwintering of slugs & snails, exposing their eggs to the birds.
Drop a few hints about Christmas present ideas … maybe a Rewela Hostas Gift card?
At Rewela Hostas, we are delighted to provide a diverse selection of Hostas suitable for collectors, experienced growers, and beginners alike. As a small family-run Hosta business we are more than happy to share our expert advice on everything related to Hostas. Shop now on our on-line shop for a wide range of Hostas, from new varieties to classics.
Shop for Hostas HERE
John Plant
Rewela Hostas