Hosta Tattoo

Hostas are planted in spring or autumn. Hostas prefer a deep, fertile, humus-rich, loose soil, preferably neutral to acidic (at least low in limestone), moist to wet throughout the year. Plant them in partial shade or filtered shade and in a sheltered location away from strong winds.

Prepare a planting hole of 20cm (8in) x 20cm (8in) x 20cm (8in). If your soil is heavy, mix equal parts of compost with crumbled soil, partially backfill the hole, and place your plant in it so that the top of the root ball is covered with 3cm (1in) of soil. The addition of a slow-release fertiliser (such as bonemeal) will nourish your plant during its rooting period without the risk of burning. Make sure to position the collar well above ground level. Firm the soil and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. If the weather is dry, regular watering for a few weeks will facilitate the establishment of your plant. Also, water regularly during dry summers.

With their common preference for moist areas, slugs and snails are never far from hostas. Even though blue or variegated hostas often have thicker and tougher foliage, which is less appealing to slugs, these plants still need protection from gastropods. Protect your Hostas by surrounding them with ferramol-based pellets (approved for Organic Farming), eggshells, coffee grounds, wood chips, or any dry and rough natural substance that repels them. Hedgehogs are the gardener's best allies in the fight against gastropods, as unlike chickens, they do not till the soil and do not attack the young plants' green shoots. Finally, some plants have a repellent smell for slugs, such as wormwood and garlic.