When To Cut Back Hostas For Winter

As for the foliage remains as long as it does not show obvious signs of disease or pest infestation it s a great addition to the compost pile.

When to cut back hostas for winter. The plants require several months of low temperatures to thrive at least eight weeks below 40 degrees fahrenheit. First of all it is a variety of hosta some varieties turn yellow in august and can be cut. But when should hostas be cut back. Apply a layer of peat moss mulch around hosta plants to protect them during the snow and cold of winter.

Hosta plants should be cut to within a few inches of the ground in mid to late fall. Simply lift up the foliage and snip the plant to within a few inches of ground level. Cut back hostas in fall or winter or in early spring before new shoots develop. Hostas should be cut back in late fall.

Before starting sanitize your pruning tools using a household disinfectant such as chlorine bleach or alcohol. Gently rake the mulch and compost it if applicable. This is the time to get rid of dead leaves so you ll want to learn how to prune hostas in early winter. Remove the mulch covering in late march before the plant leaves begin to emerge from the ground.

So once the leaves die or look unattractive in the fall the exact dates depend on your climate disinfect your pruners. Healthy hosta leaves can be left on in the early fall to help the roots store much needed energy but all leaves should be trimmed off after the first frost to deter slugs and other pests from making your plant a winter home. In autumn hosta leaves turn shades of yellow and gold then fade. Try to have the leaves removed prior to snowfall.

And that s all folks the plant is gone for the winter. Cut and remove all foliage to the plant base once it has shriveled and dried. This is the beginning of the plant s dormant season so you won t see any more pretty foliage until spring.