A couple websites that will answer all your questions are The Hosta Library (hostalibrary.org), and The American Hosta Society linked below. Also, a search on this forum for each of your specific questions will provide beaucoup answers.

Without water and slug bait, most hostas will look pretty ratty in August.

-Babka

Here is a link that might be useful: American Hosta Society.

Scott,

Welome to the forum. It's hard to know why your Hosta are looking neglected. Could be too much sun without enough water. Could be poor soil. Could be slugs.

As for fert, right now just give them a shot of liquid Miracle Grow and another in 2 weeks. No fert after September 1st. Next year give them some continuous release 10-10-10 in the spring upon emergence.

If your Hosta are full of holes you probably have slugs. Check the FAQ for how to deal with them.

You are in Zone 7, but we don't know where. Your latitude will determine how much sun your Hosta can take. Supplemental water will help with this. The more water the better.

Good luck and enjoy your plants.

Steve

Scott- When I re-read your post, I notice that the hostas did well for a few years. I wonder if roots from nearby trees are sucking the life out of them.

-Babka

..."Hosta's that were planted by a landscaping company "...

Since they did ok for a couple years and then declined, they may have been planted too deep. Baltimore had an unusually hot summer this year, didn't it? May have contributed. As for when to move them, given enough moisture they can be moved nearly anytime.

tj

Another thing is to be really careful w/ anything containing 2,4-D. (Weed n' feed lawn fertilizers & sprays like Weed-B-Gone.)

I have some hostas around a lamp post in the front yard that were always looking poorly. After a few years, it dawned on me that they were getting hit w/ a dose of broadleaf weed killer when I applied granular weed n' feed to the lawn. They have since recovered and are lush & healthy this year. (I've found that lawn sprays are easier for me to control when applying chemicals in areas adjacent to the hostas.)

For hostas to shine as foliage plants, give them a boost by fertilizing once in spring and an optional second application in mid-summer. The best time to divide a hosta is either in spring when the tips are emerging, or after summer heat subsides. When dividing, you may want to cut off some of the larger leaves to prevent excessive water loss.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta Basics

Sorry Mike, but I think cutting off perfectly good leaves is a terrible idea. Leaves generate food and produce more roots. Cutting them off simply makes the plant have to produce more with less. If you water your division well enough and frequently enough, you should NEVER have to take off any leaves.

Below is a link to a Bill Meyers article on the library about dealing with poorly rooted divisions. Here is what he says about leaves.

"5. The division will form roots to match the leaves before the season ends, so protect the leaves at all costs."

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Handling Auction Plants