By Staff
Many, many times I've been asked this question: When should I divide my hostas? Is there a right or wrong time to divide them?
The answer is no, really you can divide them anytime.
But some gardeners choose to do their dividing early in the spring.
When the new, spiky shoots first appear from their long winter's nap, be very careful and try not to damage or break off any new buds or shoots because if you are not cautious, any injury could disfigure the tiny new leaves that are developing and the hosta will grow, show and wear any damage all season long.
Other gardeners like to divide their hostas at the end of of summer (probably about September) at least a month before the first frost.
This way, the plants have ample time to settle in and take root before winter.
And in the spring up will pop perfect, unblemished leaves.
To divide a clump of hostas with a shovel, dig all around, pry and lift it from the ground.
Begin by working or shaking off as much soil as possible.
Some like to wash off the soil.
I say save the water, just shake and work it off, as this makes it much easier for me to make the decision of where to make my divisions with the least amount of damage to the hosta and its roots and shoots.
Next, after the soil is out of the way, I like to pull it apart by hand.
If it has a tough crown, I use a knife to make a small cut into the crown, being very careful.
By pulling and twisting, it usually comes apart.
Try to cut or break off as few roots as possible, but don't fret or lose any sleep over this, as it will and does happen.
Some gardeners I can just hear saying, "It's just a plant for Pete's sake, just stick two pitchforks in it, back to back, just rip and pull them apart, or cut the clump into halves or quarters with a knife.
"Right through all the roots and new shoots without a care."
And they're right, the new divisions would turn out and make it just fine because they are tough.
Speaking of how tough a hosta is, I noticed at a fellow gardener's garden a hosta clump devoid of soil, turned upside down, sending up shoots through its bare roots.
It stayed like that through all four seasons and into the next year. Like I said, they are tough.
If when dividing, a small, single shoot division is cut or broken off – and it will happen, believe me, if it has no roots – don't waste it by throwing it away. Plant it and keep it well-watered. It will eventually root.
One of the wonderful things about gardening is that there is no one way about it.