So sorry to hear this and hopefully all will work out for you for the better. Possibly if you have somewhere you can temporarily leave them, as in a friend ,you could get them back when your life get better settled. Keep your chin up, Another thing would be to sell them and buy more down the trail
Faye

So sorry Deana.

Gardenfanantic- Life sometimes throws us curves. I'm sure you will come out on the other end with some hostas because they give you so much JOY. It doesn't always take acres of plants to bring that pleasure, sometime just a few when you can gaze at one leaf and smile.

-Babka

Deanna: So sorry to hear you must move. I hear that downsizing can sometimes be a good experience - even in the garden. I guess you just take your absolute favourites and like Babka said, sometimes just a few can bring a smile to your face. I know there are those in my garden I couldn't part with and that make me smile almost everytime I look at them. And then there are others that I keep because I was given them or they were an earlier purchase before I got a little more discerning in my choices. Hope it all works out for you.

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional. -Roger Crawford

Sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time. Not knowing if there will be a yard, i'd start planning on potting my favorites. When the oomph returns, which it will, you don't want to have regrets. There is nothing worse than coming out of a slump wishing you had pushed yourself to do more during it. If the hostas and other plants mean something, pot those babies up. Or is it possible to borrow a small area of a friends/familys yard and transplant until things settle and get more finalized. When I lived in northern VA, not many people had yards, so they would rent garden space. Maybe your community has that option. Worth looking into. Goodluck.

This post was edited by bungalowmonkeys on Tue, Sep 9, 14 at 9:29

Leave them in the ground over winter. Right now stroll through the garden and place markers on the ones you wish to pot up and take with you next Spring. The rest can be replaced when you are settled and see that you have space for replacements.

In the Spring, dig the selected favorites & shake off the garden dirt.

Pot multiples together if feasible or, if more mobile for your move, pot up singly in smaller pots.

Be sure to use good draining media.

You are stronger than you are feeling right now. Making a plan will give you some direction and control back in your life.

You have gotten some great advice already.I hope things work out better than you can imagine right now.

This too shall pass. You'll get your oomph back when your plans come together and you begin life again in your new home with your favorite hosta.

DD

About 10 years ago my first hostas were given to me by a girlfriend who was breaking up with her BF and moving out of his house. She dug up her hostas and brought them to me. Frances Williams and some undulatas. Last week while she was visiting I showed her the ones that I had divided "for her". I will be giving her back her collection as part of her gift for her upcoming wedding.

Kathy

Best wishes, Deanna, and I hope things work out well for you.

Regards,
Don B.

Deanna, as one of your "hosta-sisters" I feel your pain....but like my other "siblings" on this forum, I wish to also extend my sympathies to you....along with some hugs!

I like what Stocc said --- "I hope things work out better than you can imagine right now". There are so many reassuring phrases meant to soothe and encourage you. They DO become a reality, time and time again, in so many of our lives. And they will also serve you in your time of need. Rest assured you will be just fine! When one door closes, another one opens.....

It's like a new dress....it may take time to adjust to it (looking hot, I mean!) but you will! (silly but meant to make you chuckle) ;-)

I love the idea of farming out your hostas to a friend's or relative's house (I've done it too) which you can get back later. Kathy's friend will be sooo happy, I can imagine, when she gets her hostas back! This is an opportunity for networking - you may just find a "surrogate garden" until you get your own again.

If storing or growing them elsewhere is not an option..... should your next place have a balcony....say, in an apartment or condo...you can take some with you, potted up and overwinter them out there. It's do-able! Plants are like kids, you take them with you (hostas especially) :-)

Whatever you do, know you have our support and best wishes.

Jo

P.S. Here is my last hibiscus flower for the season, just for you!

Just could resist this picture. It says it all

ZKathy, that is a great example of a happy ending. It is a good thought to hold, Deanna. Don't forget it.

How far into the springtime before you must move? Marking them is a fine idea. Plus, in the weeks before dormancy arrives, see if friends locally would consider taking some of your favorites now, plant them out, and wait for you to come back in a couple of years to take a division home with you.

Until it is an accomplished fact, details are always subject to modification. You will prevail.

Thanks everyone for your encouraging and comforting words. Not sure exactly when I'll have to move. Depending on circumstances, it'll be either March, April, or May.

Deanna

Deanna I am sorry.

Hummm, the possibility of moving in March, or even April, could be problematic in your zone...

Could you dig the most favored hosta now, plant in pots and sink those in the garden? I've never done that before, but it might be easier to retrieve them to move.

Maybe it would be best to leave them behind and start over fresh when you are settled, more aware of your spacial options and mentally ready to deal with plants.

Moving presents enough challenges and that would be one less worry for you.

Good luck, we are all wishing you the best :-)

If you are in the St. Louis area - I might be able to help you out if you need a temporary holding area.
I also overwinter hosta in pots laid on their side successfully and have also sunk the pots partly in the ground and left them there with success as well. I agree that it would be MUCH easier to take them with you next spring if they are already settled into their pots!