I think I would sink the pots into the ground and then cover with some sort of mulch ... even a lot of leaves to protect them. This way there won't be any disturbance for the rooting system. They are already used to the pot and the cooler weather we are beginning to get. In the spring when they start to grow would be a great time to remove them from the pots and plant into the ground. I have no idea if that is the right thing to do, but it is the way I would do it.

Northerner,

Not knowing better, last year I planted my new hosta seedlings in a holding bed. I removed them from the pots. Forgot to mulch.

In January, the ground had barely frozen - our mildest winter ever. There was no snow. When I walked by the holding bed, I noticed the tiny hostas had heaved. I took a bag of shredded leaves and dumped them over the hostas after placing some potting soil over the root areas which were exposed and cross my fingers. I didn't expect much to survive seeing the shape they were in.

But in the spring, when things warmed up, they broke ground and started growing as if not a thing had happened! They are tough!

That is not to say I will be doing the same this year. In the next week or so, this year's babies will be placed in the holding bed, but this time they won't be removed from their pots and the mulch will not be forgotten. I'd probably do the same with the two year olds. Older hostas I would not hesitate to plant right in the ground.

Shredded leaves are good for mulch. Whole leaves tend to mat. I've also used pine needles from my father's trees and pine shavings from a mill up the road as well as dried seaweed for mulch and all work very well.

Glad to hear you're a Hosta Momma!! :)

Mark them well. They will emerg late as all hostas do..if you plant them in the ground out of their pots now. I have lost a couple of babies turning over soil in the spring forgetting the exact spot I had planted them! LOL That was when I first started experimenting.

Thanks to you all for you help. Having seen Tiffy's pics of her baby hostas, I felt she could offer some good advice. I will sink the pots in the ground and cover with shredded leaves from the large maple in our front yard. That will give me time in the Spring to properly prepare the new bed in which they will go.I think I will also move the 2-year olds in the Spring. Too much to do in too little time. Today was a lovely day for me - I received my bulb order. I always find it exciting when I have new bulbs to plant, but I have to do that before moving anything which I don't have to. Thank you again.
Northerner.