How to prepare a hosta for winter in the fall, proper care and pruning time

The hosta flower is often used to decorate the garden and is an element of landscape design. The plant is a perennial, so it is important to know how to properly prepare the hosta for winter.

Description and features

In order for the flower to continue its development with the onset of spring, preparations for cold weather should begin in the fall. The standard preparation process consists of following the rules of agricultural technology and using covering material. It is also important to choose the right period for performing preparatory activities.

Regional features and timing

The timing of hosta preparation for wintering directly depends on the surrounding climatic conditions. When preparing, you need to take into account the characteristics of the growing region.

Middle lane

In conditions of flower growth in the middle zone, including the Moscow region, shelter for the winter is a prerequisite. To protect the plant, it will be enough to cover the root area with a layer of mulch, which can be used as tree bark, compost, or peat mixed with grass. Optimal preparation time: end of September - early October.

Volga region

In the Volga region, the flower can tolerate frost without special shelter. When growing a plant in this area, it is enough to sprinkle spruce branches or snow. During the frosty winter, you can mulch the root area with a dense layer of peat mixed with sawdust. Covering work can be carried out in early October.

Ural and Siberia

The climate of the Urals and Siberia is characterized by frosty winters and extremely low temperatures. Hosta retains the ability to continue development if it overwinters under dense mulch. The period for covering the plant in the Urals and Siberia is the whole of September.

South of Russia

Plants grown in the southern regions of the country require minimal shelter. You can start preparing for the winter period at the end of October - the first half of November.

Leningrad region

The Leningrad region is characterized by mild and warm winters, so there is no need to cover the hosta with special materials. Sufficient protection is provided by mulching the root area. It is necessary to arrange a layer of mulch during the second half of October.

How to prepare for winter

The process of preparing hosta for cold weather can be divided into several stages. Correct implementation of all stages is the key to a favorable wintering of the plant.

Removing buds that have bloomed

Caring for hosta begins with removing old buds. Flowering begins towards the end of August, and during the autumn some of the buds fade. To preserve the plant’s nutrition for the winter, you need to remove unnecessary elements in advance. To perform the procedure, you should prepare pruning shears or garden shears, which will allow you to carefully cut the buds.

Abundant watering

Hosta is a moisture-loving plant, so it needs proper care to maintain active growth. In autumn, you need to moisten the soil abundantly to a depth of 0.5 m, trying not to get it on the leaves. As the ambient temperature decreases, water consumption and watering frequency are reduced.

Top dressing

The first portion of fertilizers after planting and adaptation to new conditions is applied at the beginning of the summer period, which promotes the growth of foliage. In preparation for winter, you need to feed the plant in early autumn or at the end of August. To keep the hosta in good condition, it is recommended to use formulations containing potassium and phosphorus. These components are absorbed by the roots and provide nutrition during subsequent flowering.

Mulching

Having a layer of mulch helps keep the plant sufficiently warm. Hostas spread organic mass onto the root area, which is suitable for:

• peat;
• sawdust;
• dry grass.

When starting to prepare mulch, you should treat it with insecticidal preparations that provide protection against pests. The accumulation of parasites in organic matter can lead to damage to the plant and the development of infections.

Autumn pruning

Part of the preparation process is to prune the plant in advance of winter. Pruning is needed to eliminate excess foliage, where pests settle and eat the plant.

Is it necessary

Pruning the hosta is a prerequisite for preparation. If foliage is left on the plant, it will eventually turn into a slimy mass and attract parasites.

Deadlines

Begin pruning when the yellow leaves fall off. At this point, nutrition with mineral components goes to the lower part of the plant. It is allowed to combine hosta formation with protective treatment.

How to trim correctly

Excess leaves on the host should be carefully cut off with scissors or pruners. It is not recommended to pick foliage with your hands, as you may accidentally damage the plant.

Protection from pests and diseases

To prevent the host from being affected by diseases and harmful insects, protective treatment is required. Fungicides are sprayed against diseases, and insecticides are used to repel parasites.

Shelter

Organic mulch is used as the main cover, and special material provides additional protection. It is better to cover the hosta in warm, windless weather, when the soil is dry. First, the plant needs to be mulched and then covered with material on top. Stones are placed on top of the shelter along the perimeter to secure the material and block access for rodents.

Common mistakes

Inexperienced gardeners often make mistakes when preparing hostas for frost.To correctly complete the process, you should familiarize yourself with common violations.

Nitrogen fertilizing

The application of nitrogen fertilizers before the onset of winter leads to active growth of the flower. Intensive growth of leaf mass causes an outflow of nutritional components needed by the plant during the winter.

No mulching

The lower part of the foliage on the host dries out during autumn and forms a natural protective layer. Many gardeners believe that this layer will be enough to protect the plant, but in severe frost conditions the roots lack additional warmth.

Using special materials for shelter

You cannot use plastic film and roofing felt for covering, since condensation will form under them, and moisture will cause rotting and the appearance of fungus. The most suitable materials for covering hostas are:

• sackcloth;
• agrofibre;
• spunbond

Overdrying of the soil

Even in winter, the roots of the plant need the presence of moisture. Dry soil does not provide the flower with the necessary nutrition, and the quality of the roots deteriorates.

Transfer

Transferring a flower to a new location weakens the protective functions, since it takes time to adapt to changed conditions.

It is recommended to replant the hosta no later than August.

Greenhouse effect

The cause of the greenhouse effect is the use of inappropriate protective material. Believing that greenhouse conditions will help the plant stay warm, gardeners disrupt the process of natural growth of the hosta, and it begins to rot. In some cases, the rotting process is not immediately noticeable, since it begins from the roots.

When it rises after winter

At growing hostas in open ground the flower sprouts late.Plants wait until stable heat is established and only then resume active growth and development.

“Living” mulch option

Experienced gardeners know about the possibility of using living mulch. This term refers to cover crops or green manures. Rye, oats, mustard, calendula and phacelia are most often grown for this purpose. The main requirement is to select an actively growing species and mow the green mass before flowering begins. Mown plants are crushed and left at the root area or embedded in the surface layer of soil.

Useful tips

The basic rules in preparing for winter are to follow basic care and control the flowering of the hosta. During the winter period, throwing snow has a beneficial effect on the plant - it is raked and a hill is built next to the bushes for additional protection. After the snow melts, you need to remove the old mulch to reduce the risk of pests that overwinter in organic matter.