However, as could be expected with a genus so rich in cultivars, hostas come in all kinds of sizes. The miniature “Baby Bunting” reaches only a few inches in diameter at maturity while some cultivars may span eight feet across.

Although widely available at nurseries and garden centers, most often hostas are propagated by lifting and dividing mature plants in late summer.

Hostas grow best in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Soil should be slightly acidic but rich in nutrients and organic matter. Plant hostas at least a foot deep. Because shallow root clump spread horizontally and equal diameter of foliage, planting holes should be about 1 ½ size you expect from mature clump.

Hostas like water. Keep new plantings well watered for first two weeks. After that, your hostas will benefit from a deep (1-inch minimum) weekly watering, which aids in healthy root development. Symptoms of inadequate moisture are leaf tip burning and drooping.

To start these tender vegetables for early crops, artificial heat, as in hotbeds, is needed. Otherwise, for early crops, buy plants from commercial growers, or from local growers who produce them with artificial heat. Tender vegetables that do not transplant such as melons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, and squash, should not be planted outdoors until soil has warmed up. These may, however, be started earlier in small pots in a hotbead.

To make most out of your gardening efforts, take time to do some planning. Also keep a record of wheather you had too much or too little of certain vegatables at any time during season for a continuous supply. Don't trust it all to memory.

Things to consider when planting.

1. How much of each vegetable to grow to supply your family needs.

2. Which vegetables are most need for good health.

3. How much extra to plant for storage

4. Which varities are best to plant.

5. When to plant for continuous growth and supply.

6. Which pesticides are best for control of insects and diseases.

7. Supplies needed such as, sprayers, dusters, tools, fertilizer, or mulching material.

Jotting this down on paper, plus any notes made during season about special pest problems or how a new variety or practice turned out, will be valuable next season when planning and planting time roll around.