Couple Hosta questions.

[ogrefcf]

First, in one of my beds the dirt seems pretty compacted. Should I just till it all by hand to try to lighten it or do I need to amend the soil? Here's a picture of the ground. I was watering so it doesn't look to bad, but it's pretty solid.


The other I had some Hosta come up with stunted leaves and a flower stalk. Is this weather related or just something weird? Thanks!

[ViolaAnn]

I'd be inclined to add some compost and some mulch to the soil.

As far as the other hosta, I've not seen a flower stalk so early, but then your hostas a way ahead of mine which are mostly just pips. As far as the leaves - did it get frozen?

[Chris_W]

I was thinking about the same. If you only have that one or a few other hostas in that spot I would lift just the hosta and amend that planting hole but then just topdress the rest of the bed with a layer of compost and then mulch it. In time it will improve on its own and then you can amend and turn it in as you plant.

Last year's long season may have confused these hostas as to when to flower, or they tried to come up really early and the flowering schedule is off. But when they do this, new eyes will form and they'll adjust in later years just fine. I assume that is some frost/freeze damage on the leaves.

[ogrefcf]

I amended the area where I planted the hostas it's mostly just around it. I have about 10 or so in the area, but if it's better to lift them and amend it all I will. Yes the leaves are just frost damage. My concern more was the smaller leaves and shape, but it may have just been damaged coming up. The first plant with damage is a Komodo Dragon and was much bigger last year.

[kHT]

Owen, I agree that clay soil needs help. It would be a flower spike, we are seeing them really early this year on some of ours.

[ogrefcf]

I amend it quite a bit when I made the bed, just not enough I guess. I'll go grab some more compost.

[kHT]

Owen, when we first moved in we added lots of sand to break up the clay. Have you thought about adding some with the compost?

[ogrefcf]

Owen, when we first moved in we added lots of sand to break up the clay. Have you thought about adding some with the compost?

No I haven't. Thanks for the idea! I am going to try it.

[Schattenfreude]

I thought clay + sand = concrete. I'd stick with LOTS of compost and maybe some pine bark fines and perlite.... and a bunch of worms!

Kevin in KC

[ViolaAnn]

I've got clay too. ADD the sand!

[thy]

Sand is chicken grit, not fine sand ( beach sand or playarea for todlers sand- it make concrete) Add some woodclippings or similar to the mix.
The problem with compost is it disapear with in a few years, making the soil better, but even I tried to plant lower, I have hostas way to exposed this year... so I will add more compost

Pia

[kHT]

Owen, I looked up what we did some ten years ago and beside sand we tilled in peat and straw that we had use for a couple
years to keep the one side of the greenhouse warm. We did the whole back yard and this was in the fall, when we covered it
with black plastic for the whole winter. Once planted then we mulched, which we have done a couple times since creating the
the new bed.