looks about right .... though the pic seems to bury to crown a bit.. i would err towards a bit higher ...

also.. i have no clue why the hole need be wider than necessary ... as long as the roots are spread.. rather than folded into the hole ...

since i work in sand.. i do not amend the planting hole ... so digging wider is not necessary ...

ken

Do you all wash off the potting media before planting in the ground?

Thank you for the tip Jim... I need to lift several sunken hostas...will definitely give this a try if it's not too late for this season.

Ken, I garden in sand as well. Do you find that the plants sink in sandy soil if it's amended or do the roots just stay in the amended zone and not spread out? I was planning to topdress the entire new bed with compost/manure. Is that a better idea?

Windymess.

I do.

The potting mix (compared to soil) is a bit hydrophobic.

It kinda smothers the crown and roots in a media that somewhat repels water. ( not a good thing)

I like to spread the roots out a bit. Sort of draping it around the central ball. It's all clay around here. So I do amend the planting hole with triple mix or black earth.

Because I move my plants around some, over the years I've really improved the soil quality of my beds.

J.

The reason for digging out a larger hole than immediately required by the hosta is to enable more root growth by loosening the soil. I usually dig out all the dirt and replace it with 100 percent compost, very friable and does wonders to stimulate excellent root growth.

Well....errr...uhmm...So... I've made most of the mistakes anyone has ever mentioned...and apparently I have been outsmarted by a tree. Keep those tips coming everyone...I can use all the help I can get! I am getting better (slowly but surely) Thanks to all who so generously share their expertise!

I learned it all the hard way.......this forum has really helped me over the years.

Last year I amended the soil a bit as I planted.... But I think those I planted the year before did better - when I did NOT amend. I have no theory on that, just an observation that may or may not be accurate since there are a lot of variables. Also - I have never completely bare-rooted them (just removed excess media), so this year I intend to do so.

The American Hosta Society has a 32 page booklet with beautiful color photos called the Hosta Adventure. It is perfect for beginners and not-so-beginners too. It explains all the basics of growing hostas. You don't have to be a member to get it. $8.

The Hosta Adventure (scroll down)

-Babka

Windymess, I do the same, remove excess media - by (not overly gently) whacking the plant on the ground, or dropping it several times if need be to loosen the media. It depends on how long it was pot grown. Quite frequently the hostas I buy are root bound with very little media around them. (I specifically search out plants that have obviously been over-wintered a season or more and are full of roots.)

Have had same experience with amended soil and without, and I've gardened in sandy soil, clay soil and the usual top soil builders provide under the lawns. By far for me the best growing results have (many years back) been in clay soil ... but not the wicked clay that is compared to cement, lol.

Thank you for the link, Babka.

whatever works ... works ...

and we can have a multitude of discussions about the variables ...

but when whatever you tried starts to fail.. you are further ahead for having read the discussions ... and for understanding the variables ..

clay is very often... one of the most fertile soils you can have ... IF!!!!!! you can deal with the drainage issue ... you are just back to figuring out which variable is the problem ...

ken