How to Grow Hostas or Day Lily

Hostas are perennials and know for their beautiful foliage. They are consider shade tolerant, although they do not do well in deep shade.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plants
• Garden Tools

1. Hostas grow best with morning sun and afternoon shade. A loamy, rich organic soil with a ph of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal. Dig a hole 12" to 16" deep and wide enough to accept the root ball. Mix soil removed from hole with one shovel of compost or manure and 1/2 cup bone meal. This is your back fill. You may also use other extended release fertilizer in the back fill as well.

2. Planting: I like to remove the plant from container and soak root ball in water before planting. This makes roots soft and workable. Make a mound in middle of hole with your back fill. Shake off loose material from root ball of plant, do not put or use in planting hole. Plant should be place in hole at same level it grew in the container. Fill hole 3/4 way with back fill, water then finish filling.

3. A balanced fertilizer of 10-10-10 can be used starting in spring and about every 6 weeks there after. Compost tea makes an excellent fertilizer. It can be used as a foliar (sprayed on leaves) once a week. See my article on compost tea for direction. Plants need about an inch of water per week. If rainfall is insufficient hand watering should be done in the mornings. Soil should soaked to a depth of 12" or more for deep root growth.

[thenana]

on 4/19/2009 I was going to start hostas in my first ever flower bed (I usually only grow edibles). It was going to be one of my choices, you just made it easier knowing I can be successful with them.

[Upon-Request]

on 4/7/2009 Easy directions for growing a day lily. Thanks!