Viewing post #1148326 by ssgardener

Hostas are really hard to kill. I once dug up a clump and left it above ground and it survived the winter. If they're large, already very healthy, and well-watered, then they can be divided and moved pretty much any time of the year, especially if you give them shade and water them well after transplanting. But transplanting a large hosta with fully-unfurled leaves can be a pain in the neck.

The best time of the year (especially for young hostas with less established roots) for transplanting and dividing are spring and fall. Fall planting is great for hot-summer areas and spring planting is good if you get frigid winters where your soil freezes early. I personally find it easiest to divide hosta in early spring when just the pips are showing.

Also, avoid digging in the area if it's too wet/muddy.