Hostas

Monek Marie

For those lacking space or fitting as much in a small area as possible Hostas can also be a food source.

I was never that fond on hostas but they are edible in several stages. I just put in asparagus so until I can harvest them I can use hostas when they first break the ground.

The leaves are also edible in different stages, They make a great wrap and leaves when small are tender in salads,

There are a few recipes listed here:

https://www.ruralsprout.com/eat-hostas/

Tave

Thanks for the link. I had heard hostas were edible but this is the first article I've seen that explains how and which ones are the tastiest.

MaryRowe

This is a really good article, love the recipes. So much of my growing space is shaded for all or part of the day that I'm always interested in shade-tolerant edibles, and have several hosta beds. I enjoy the sweet flowers, but haven't been very imaginative about ways to use the greens, so these recipes are great.

One thing though, the local deer and groundhogs like hostas too, especially when the greens are young and tender, so my hosta beds are something of a battleground ......

Monek Marie

@MaryRowe I am lucky, they leave mine alone but I have two friends that the deer or groundhogs mow them down every night.

Mine suffer a little fron snails but I hope to find a good combination plant that will help with that

frogvalley

Thankfully, hostas are one plant that grows all by itself around our house. I love plants that I don't have to water or fuss with. We put the first ones in 30+ years ago and have never had to cut, thin, feed or water them. We do eat them occasionally, but they are on the back side of the house so we don't meander over there much.

A few years ago we discovered and started adding different varieties and are finding that they have different personalities. It's amazing how many their are.

judsoncarroll4

I have so many thousand hostas that need to be divided this spring, I guess I'll eat more than usual and sell the rest roadside.

SuperC

No wonder the deer eat them, those tender young hosta shoots. Perhaps this spring when the plant shops are open, I’ll look for a few that were mentioned in the article. I’d love to plant eight or so to fill in some large gaps needing beautiful landscaping pieces. Thanks for posting. @Denise Grant

herbantherapy

@Denise Grant are you growing your asparagus and Hostas together? I have been trying find a space to put an asparagus bed and have room in the back of one of the hosta beds, if that’s an option!

We have many hostas, my husband LOVES how they look and gets a couple of new varieties every year. We have never eaten them though!! I will have to try it this spring.

The battle with slugs is REAL! We have had good luck the last two years putting a heavy layered ring around each one with pistachio shells. (I eat them a lot!)

Monek Marie

@herbantherapy No I am not but that may work! Interesting idea

Love the pistachio nut idea

lewis.mary.e

One of my favorite people in the world made hosta jelly a few years ago and gifted me with a jar. I almost wanted to wear it as a perfume. Very floral smelling jelly, but it tasted like a flowery honey.

Monek Marie

@lewis.mary.e I'll have to look that up and see if I can find a recipe. Sounds wonderful!~

annbeck62

Thanks for the info. I did not know these were edible. Much of my landscaping is edible landscaping and this will fit right in.

Monek Marie

@herbantherapy I don't know if these will work with snails or not but I plan to try them. https://bugwiz.com/plants-repel-slugs-snails/

herbantherapy

@Denise Grant I literally have every one of those plants (multiples of most actually) and none of them are bothered by slugs or snails. But the hostas planted in front of the hydrangea or among the geraniums definitely get eaten.

Oh and lambs ears as well any dense growing plant like it are a favorite place for slugs to lay their eggs!

Monek Marie

@herbantherapy LOL, they say Lambs Ear grows anywhere, but I have successfuly managed to kill any Lambs Ear plant anyone has given me before a bug can attack it

Most of my hostas are not bothered but the ones in the front yard in more sun have a few slugs

Acequiamadre

I love learning how so many things are edible. Last year we snacked on daylilies all summer. I did not know about Hostas!

Monek Marie

@Acequiamadre I just learned about eating squash leaves this year. There's always something else to learn

My niece had her first garden this year. I showed her all the different wyas you could eat one plant. One of her favorite things in the summer was to go out and nibble on all the garden plants. I ws impressed she learned so much and had so much fun out in the backyard. She lives in a small town so gardening can be more creative for her with regulations

Monek Marie

https://foragerchef.com/eating-hosta-shoots/

I am going to have to try this recipe. Ramps will be out here soon

Annie Kate

Perfect! We have way too many hostas, but now that might seem like not enough. Thank you @Denise Grant.

And since they taste best in spring, they would be among the first vegetables of the year! 😊

Monek Marie

@Annie Kate People give away hosta plant like crazy arounf here. I grab them now so that I have another food source.

Annie Kate

Yes, I am one of the ones who wants to give them away like crazy. LOL That will be different, now.

VickiP

Really good info I always like to find a new food.

Monek Marie

I am bumping this up as a edible plant and possible edible ground cover.

SuperC

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/886706#Comment_886706

I read an article that stated using sandpaper around plants, underneath rocks or under mulch. Slug no go pads.@herbantherapy