I want to end the vicious cycle of weeding by filling in my previously-spacious garden with hostas and 'step-ables. ' I am unsure what to do now that I have pulled all of the weeds (again!) and want to plant the new plants. I was thinking about digging 3-4 inches of the soil throughout the garden, leaving the current plants in place, putting down newspaper, planting the new plants, and putting the soil back but it's going to have all the weed-remnants and seeds in it. If I treat the soil for weeds, how long do I wait before I plant the new plants? How do I make sure it doesn't hurt the current plants? How do I prevent weeds from coming back while the new plants grow and fill in the spaces?
You are definitely on the right track. Here is my suggestion: Leave the soil, if feasible. Lay wet newspaper six to ten layers thick throughout the area and around your plants. Make sure you overlap the edges by at least six inches to kill any weed seeds that may be present from trying to pop through. Add about six inches of compost or rich soil on top. Put your new plants in this and fill in around your current ones. Top it off with a layer of organic mulch.
If you really feel the need to treat the soil, here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-long-does-weed-killer-last-in-the-soil.htm
Don't know where to find hostas in Az.
They should grow there. They are resilient plant. If you cannot find them in garden centers, ask around. If you find someone who has one, they might be willing to share. They are easy to divide and will rapidly fill back in.
My big beautiful hosta plants are rotting from the bottom leaves up. What causes this?
It may have crown rot. Here is more information on this:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/sul8.pdf
Why do my hostas' plant leaves turn yellow/brown and die?
This article should help pinpoint the problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/hosta-problems.htm
With only one day till summer, is it safe to divide Hostas now?
You can normally divide these plants anytime from spring through fall. However, it really depends on how hot it is in your area. As long as you can ensure that they'll get adequate water and give them some shade, you can probably go ahead and divide them now though.
Planted a hosta garden around an old maple tree. Put down newspaper over grass, as digging was not an option, then filled with new black soil. All has been well until this week (about a month in) and now have white circles about 8 inches in diameter evenly spaced through garden that looks like frost patches that can be brushed away. Any ideas on what this is and what to do about it?
This sounds like powdery mildew. Neem oil can help with this. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/get-the-cure-for-powdery-mildew.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have a small shade garden with many hostas. One particular part of the garden has the hosta plants being broken off at ground level. I look in the morning and more stems are broken and lying on the ground. It looks as though something is digging small holes in the earth near the plant, but I don't know if it's the pesky squirrels or some other critter, or if that has anything to do with the problem. I've had this garden for 20 years with never a problem!
I have a similar experience here in Dallas. Does the hole lead to a tunnel or is it just surface soil movement? If a tunnel, could be voles. If just a small area dug out, I am suspect of rabbits. I have one that is caught in the back yard and althought he is small, he is growing. He prefers certain varieties - I guess they are the gourmet choice. Are the leaves being eaten? Or just broken off. Squirrels would probably not eat leaves but could be burying winter food and disturbing plants. Guess you could dig a little in the hole and see if anything is buried. I don't think I am helping much - am sympathetic, however.