I leave my oak leaves on the garden all winter, and I've never had a problem. The leaves are pretty acidic when they decompose, but they decompose so slowly it's really not a problem.

Go to the soil and compost forum and tell your neighbor their crazy!

I have tons of Oak leaves on my hostas and they thrive every year! No problem! Phil

micke,
The only tree I know of with toxic leaves is black walnut. Some plants can even grow well under these trees, but many cannot. Be aware that a thick layer of leaves (of any kind) may provide a home for mice and voles which can damage your plants during the winter. Next spring, leaves should be removed after the last winter freeze, so that they don't provide a haven for slugs. (If you rake the leaves off your hostas after the eyes are already popping up, you'll probably see a little damage on the leaves once they unfold, from stepping on them and hitting them with your rake.) The leaves should be shredded and composted then, and can be used to mulch around your plants in mid-summer. If your soil gets too acidic, you can always add a little lime. But don't amend your soil without first checking the pH so that you know for sure how acidic it is. And don't add lime near any plants that prefer an acidic soil anyways. Don

PS I can post a pH chart for all annuals, perennials, and vegetables, if you want.

I am not real good with the technical side of things, how would you even go about checking the soil? I am even afraid to put hydrangea food on my hydrangeas cause someone said depending on the acid in my soil it could cause my blue blooms to go pink, and I don't even know which causes which!
know all about the walnut tree, of course I did not learn about it until I planted my tomato garden near it (iris do real well with walnut though)
I use straw over my cannas and I use a mix (depending on how they fall LOL!!!) of pine needles and leaves over the hostas, I am always in a big hurry to start spring, so if there are warm days in Febuary that is usually when I clean my hosta beds out, so I should be okay there, the cannas I usually pull the straw off 3 or 4 times in the winter and cover them back up to make sure nothing is making their home in there (has a cover of about 2 feet deep, so it is usually my main concern with varmits)
where do these voles live? I have never seen one in my whole life, and everyone in my family gardens and I had never heard of them til this forum, moles however yes. at first I thought it was a misspelling (now I know everyone is rolling their eyes at me at this point)
I would love to tell my neighbor he is crazy, but think I will just stick to chanting it under my breath while he is offering me his wisdom. Meanwhile I will come here to get the right advice.
thanks!
michelle

Michelle,

You can contact your county extension office about a soil test. They are free in most places. What I did learn recently, at least here in North Carolina, is that the winter is a very busy time for them processing lots of soil tests for farmers. I would have guessed that the winter is a good time to submit one to get results back quickly, but apparently not!

They also sell a soil test kit at Home Depot, Lowe's and probably Wal-Mart as well that you can get the results yourself. I don't know how accurate the results are, but would think as long as you do the steps correctly, it works just fine.

~Angie

Michelle,
You can pick up a pH meter for under $20 at just about any garden center. Follow the directions on the package. It's easy to use. As far as hostas, they'll thrive in just about anything- they're not fussy. But some plants are. Below is a pH reference list.
If you don't have damage by tunneling rodents in the winter, you probably don't have voles. If you do, search this forum by typing in "voles"- there are 47 items posted on them.
As far as hydrangeas, certain species will be blue if grown in acidic soil, or pinkish if grown in alkaline soil.
And maggiemae is right- don't uncover those hostas too early! February is too early! Don

FRUIT
Apple 5.0-6.5
Apricot 6.0-7.0
Blackberry 5.0-6.0
Blueberry 4.0-6.0
Cantaloupe 6.5-7.5
Cherry 6.0-7.5
Cranberry 5.5-6.5
Current 6.0-8.0
Gooseberry 5.0-6.5
Grape 6.0-7.0
Hazelnut 6.0-7.0
Hop 6.0-7.0
Mulberry 6.0-7.5
Nectarine 6.0-7.5
Peach 6.0-7.5
Pear 6.0-7.5
Plum 6.0-7.5
Quince 6.0-7.5
Raspberry 5.0-7.5
Rhubarb 5.5-7.0
Strawberry 5.0-7.5
Watermelon 5.5.-6.5

VEGETABLES AND HERBS
Artichoke 6.5-7.5
Asparagus 6.0-8.0
Basil 5.5-6.5
Bean 6.0-7.5
Beet 6.0-7.5
Broccoli 6.0-7.0
Brussels Sprouts 6.0-7.5
Cabbage 6.0-7.5
Carrot 5.5-7.0
Cauliflower 5.5.-7.5
Celery 6.0-7.0
Chicory 5.0-6.5
Chives 6.0-7.0
Corn-sweet 5.5-7.0
Cucumber 5.5-7.5
Fennel 5.0-6.0
Garlic 5.5-7.5
Ginger 6.0-8.0
Horseradish 6.0-7.0
Kale 6.0-7.5
Kohlrabi 6.0-7.5
Leek 6.0-8.0
Lentil 5.5-7.0
Lettuce 6.0-7.0
Marjoram 6.0-8.0
Mint 7.0-8.0
Mushroom 6.5-7.5
Mustard 6.0-7.5
Onion 6.0-7.0
Paprika 7.0-8.5
Parsley 5.0-7.0
Parsnip 5.5-7.5
Pea 6.0-7.5
Pepper 5.5-7.0
Peppermint 6.0-7.5
Potato 4.5-6.0
Potato-sweet 5.5-6.0
Pumpkin 5.5-7.5
Radish 6.0-7.0
Rosemary 5.0-6.0
Sage 5.5-6.5
Shallot 5.5-7.0
Sorghum 5.5-7.5
Soybean 5.5-6.5
Spearmint 5.5-7.5
Spinach 6.0-7.5
Thyme 5.5-7.9
Tomato 5.5-7.5
Turnip 5.5-7.0
Watercress 6.0-8.0

HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE
Abutilon 5.5-6.5
Acorus 5.0-6.5
Aechmea 5.0-5.5
African Violet 6.0-7.0
Aglaonema 5.0-6.0
Amarylis 5.5-6.5
Anthurium 5.0-6.0
Aphelandra 5.0-6.0
Araucaria 5.0-6.0
Asparagus Fern 6.0-8.0
Aspidistra 4.0-5.5
Azalea 4.5-6.0
Babys Breath 6.0-7.5
BabyÂs Tears 5.0-6.0
Begonia 5.5-7.0
Bird of Paradise 6.0-6.5
BishopÂs Cap 5.0-6.0
Black-eyed Susan 5.5-7.5
Blood Leaf 5.5-6.5
Bottlebrush 6.0-7.5
Bougainvillea 5.5-7.5
Boxwood 6.0-7.5
Bromeliads 5.0-7.5
Butterfly Flower 6.0-7.5
Cacti 4.5-6.0
Calcaolaria 6.0-7.0
Caladium 5.0-6.0
Calla Lily 6.0-7.0
Camelia 4.5-5.5
Campanula 5.5-6.5
Capsicum 5.0-6.5
Cardinal Flower 5.0-6.0
Castor Oil Plant 5.5-6.5
Century Plant 5.0-6.5
Chinese Evergreen 5.0-6.0
Chinese Primrose 6.0-7.5
Christmas Cactus 5.0-6.5
Cineraria 5.5-7.0
Clerodendrum 5.0-6.0
Clivia 5.5-6.5
Cockscomb 6.0-7.0
Coffee Plant 5.0-6.0
Coleus 6.0-7.0
Columnea 4.5-5.5
Coral Berry 5.5-7.5
Crassula 5.0-6.0
Creeping Fig 5.0-6.0
Croton 5.0-6.0
Crown of Thorns 6.0-7.5
Cuphea 6.0-7.5
Cyclamen 6.0-7.0
Cyperus 5.0-7.5
Dieffenbachia 5.0-6.0
Dipladenia 6.0-7.5
Dizgotheca 6.0-7.5
Dracaena 5.0-6.0
Easter Lily 6.0-7.0
ElephantÂs Ear 5.0-6.0
Episcia 6.0-7.0
Euonymous 6.0-8.0
Ferns:
BirdÂs Nest 5.0-5.5
Boston 5.5-6.5
Button 6.0-8.0
Christmas 6.0-7.5
Cloak 6.0-7.5
Feather 5.5-6.5
HartÂs Tongue 7.0-8.0
Holly 4.5-6.0
Maidenhair 6.0-8.0
Rabbits Foot 6.0-7.5
Spleenwort 6.0-7.5
Fig 5.0-6.0
Fittonia 5.5-6.5
Freesia 6.0-7.5
Gardenia 5.0-6.0
Genista 6.5-7.5
Geranium 6.0-8.0
Gloxinia 5.5-6.5
Grape Ivy 5.0-6.5
Grape Hyacinth 6.0-7.5
Grevillea 5.5-6.5
Gynura 5.5-6.5
Hedera 6.0-8.0
Heliotropium 5.0-6.0
Hens and Chickens 7.0-7.0
Herringbone Plant 6.0-8.0
Hibiscus Plant 6.0-8.0
Hoya 5.0-6.5
Impatiens 5.5-6.5
Ivy Tree 6.0-7.0
Jacaranda 6.0-7.5
Japanese Sedge 6.0-8.0
Jasminum 5.5-7.0
Jerusalem Cherry 5.5-6.5
Jessamone 5.0-6.0
Kalanchoe 6.0-7.5
Kangaroo Thorn 6.0-8.0
Kangaroo Vine 5.0-6.5
Lantana 5.5-7.0
Laurus (Bay Tree) 5.0-6.0
Lemon Plant 6.0-7.5
Mimosa 5.0-7.0
Mind Your Own Bus. 5.0-5.5
Monstera 5.0-6.0
Myrtle 6.0-8.0
Never Never Plant 5.0-6.0
Nicodemia 6.0-8.0
Norfolk Island Pine 5.0-6.0
Oleander 6.0-7.5
Oplismenus 5.0-6.0
Orchid 4.5-5.5
Oxalis 6.0-8.0
Palms 6.0-7.5
Pandanus 5.0-6.0
Peacock Plant 5.0-6.0
Pellionia 5.0-6.0
Peperomia 5.0-6.0
Philodendron 5.0-6.0
Pilea 6.0-8.0
Plumbago 5.5-6.5
Podacarpus 5.0-6.5
Pointsettia 6.0-7.5
Polyscias 6.0-7.5
Pothos 5.0-6.0
Prayer Plant 5.0-6.0
Punica 5.5-6.5
Sanserieria 4.5-7.0
Saxifraga 6.0-8.0
Scindapsus 5.0-6.0
Shrimp Plant 6.0-7.0
Spanish Bayonet 6.0-7.5
Spider Plant 6.0-7.5
Succulents 5.0-6.5
Synogonium 5.0-6.0
Tolmiea 5.0-6.0
Tradescantia 5.0-6.0
Umbrella Tree 5.0-7.5
Venus Flytrap 4.0-5.0
Weeping Fig 5.0-6.0
Yucca 6.0-7.5
Zebrina 5.0-6.0

FLOWERS, TREES, AND SHRUBS
Abelia 6.0-8.0
Acacia 6.0-8.0
Acanthus 6.0-7.0
Aconitum 5.0-6.0
Adonis 6.0-8.0
Ageratum 6.0-7.5
Ailanthus 6.0-7.5
Ajuga 4.0-6.0
Althea 6.0-7.5
Alyssum 6.0-7.5
Amaranthus 6.0-6.5
Anchusa 6.0-7.5
Androsace 5.0-6.0
Anemone 6.0-7.5
Anthyllis 5.0-6.0
Arbutus 4.0-6.0
Arenaria 6.0-8.0
Aristea 6.0-7.5
Armeria 6.0-7.5
Arnica 5.0-6.5
Asperula 6.0-8.0
Asphodoline 6.0-8.0
Aster 5.5-7.5
Aubrita 6.0-7.5
Azalea 4.5-6.0
Balloon Flower 6.0-6.5
Bayberry 4.0-6.0
Bergenia 6.0-7.5
Bleeding Heart 6.0-7.5
Bluebell 6.0-7.5
Broom 5.0-6.0
Buddleia 6.0-7.0
Buphthalum 6.0-8.0
Butterfly Bush 4.0-6.0
Calendula 5.5-7.0
Camassia 6.0-8.0
Candytuft 6.0-7.5
Canna 6.0-8.0
Canterbury Bells 7.0-7.5
Cardinal Flower 4.0-6.0
Carnation 6.0-7.5
Catalpa 6.0-8.0
Celosia 6.0-7.0
Centaurea 5.0-6.5
Cerastium 6.0-7.0
Chrysanthemum 6.0-7.0
Cissus 6.0-7.5
Cistus 6.0-7.5
Clarkia 6.0-6.5
Clianthus 6.0-7.5
Clematis 5.5-7.0
Colchicum 5.5-6.5
Columbine 6.0-7.0
Convolvulus 6.0-8.0
Coreopsis 5.0-6.0
Coronilla 6.5-7.5
Corydalis 6.0-8.0
Cosmos 5.0-8.0
Cottoneaster 6.0-8.0
Crab Apple 6.0-7.5
Crocus 6.0-8.0
Cynoglossum 6.0-7.5
Daffodil 6.0-6.5
Dahlia 6.0-7.5
Daylily 6.0-7.0
Delphinium 6.0-7.5
Deutzia 6.0-7.5
Dianthus 6.0-7.5
Dogwood 5.0-7.0
Edelweiss 6.5-7.5
Elaeagnus 5.0-7.5
Enkianthus 5.0-6.0
Erica 4.5-6.0
Euphorbia 6.0-7.0
Everlastings 5.0-6.0
Firethorn 6.0-8.0
Forget-Me-Nots 6.0-7.0
Forsythia 6.0-8.0
Foxglove 6.0-7.5
Fritillaria 6.0-7.5
Fuchsia 5.5-7.5
Gaillardia 6.0-7.5
Gazania 5.5-7.0
Gentiana 5.0-7.5
Geum 6.0-7.5
Gladioili 6.0-7.0
Globularia 5.5-7.0
Godetia 6.0-7.5
Goldenrod 5.0-7.0
Gypsophilia 6.0-7.5
Hawthorn 6.0-7.0
Heather 4.0-6.0
Helianthus 5.0-7.0
Helleborus 6.0-7.5
Holly 5.0-6.5
Hollyhock 6.0-7.5
Honeysuckle 6.0-7.5
Hosta 6.0-7.0
Hyacinth 6.5-7.5
Hydrangea (Blue) 4.0-5.0
Hydrangea (Pink) 6.0-7.0
Hydrangea (White) 6.5-8.0
Hypericum 5.5-7.0
Iris 5.0-6.5
Ivy 6.0-7.5
Juniper 5.0-6.5
Kalmia 4.5-5.0
Kerria 6.0-7.0
Laburnum 6.0-7.0
Laurel 6.5-7.5
Lavender 6.5-7.5
Liatris 5.5-7.5
Ligustrum 5.0-7.5
Lilac 6.0-7.5
Lily of the Valley 4.5-6.0
Lithospermum 5.0-6.5
Lobelia 6.5-7.5
Lupinus 5.5-7.0
Magnolia 5.0-6.0
Mahonia 6.0-7.0
Marigold 5.5-7.0
Molinia 4.0-5.0
Moraea 5.5-6.5
Morning Glory 6.0-7.5
Moss 6.0-8.0
Moss, Sphagnum 3.5-5.0
Myosotis 6.0-7.0
Narcissus 6.0-8.5
Nasturtium 5.5-7.5
Nicotiana 5.5-6.5
Pachysandra 5.0-8.0
Paeonia 6.0-7.5
Pansy 5.5-7.0
Passion Flower 6.0-8.0
Pasque Flower 5.0-6.0
Paulownia 6.0-8.0
Penstemon 5.5-7.0
Periwinkle 6.0-7.5
Petunia 6.0-7.5
Pinks 6.0-7.5
Polygonum 6.0-7.5
Polyanthus 6.0-7.5
Poppy 6.0-7.5
Portulaca 5.5-7.5
Primrose 5.5-6.5
Primula 6.0-7.5
Privet 5.0-7.5
Prunella 6.0-7.5
Prunus 6.5-7.5
Pyrethrum 6.0-7.5
Red Hot Poker 6.0-7.5
Rhododendren 4.5-6.0
Roses 5.5-7.0
Salvia 6.0-7.5
Scabiosa 5.0-7.5
Sedum 6.0-7.5
Snapdragon 5.5-7.0
Snowdrop 6.0-8.0
Soapwort 6.0-7.5
Speedwell 5.5-6.5
Spiraea 6.0-7.5
Spruce 4.0-5.0
Stock 6.0-7.5
Stonecrop 6.5-7.5
Sumac 5.0-6.5
Sunflower 5.0-7.0
Sweet Pea 6.0-7.5
Sweet William 6.0-7.5
Tamarix 6.5-8.0
Trillium 5.0-6.5
Tulip 6.0-7.0
Vibernum 5.0-7.5
Viola 5.5-6.5
Virginia Creeper 5.0-7.5
Wallflower 5.5-7.5
Water Lily 5.5-6.5
Weigelia 6.0-7.5
Wistaria 6.0-8.0
Zinnia 5.5-7.5

GRASSES
Bahai 6.5-7.5
Bent 5.5-6.5
Bermuda 6.0-7.0
Canada Blue 4.5-6.4
Clover 6.0-7.0
Kentucky Blue 6.0-7.5
Meadow 6.0-7.5
Pampas 6.0-8.0
Red Top 6.0-6.5
Rye 6.0-7.0
St. Augustine 6.5-7.5
Tall Fescue 6.0-7.0
Velvet Bent 5.0-6.0
Zoysia 6.0-7.0

Don, wonderful accurate list, the problem is we cannot change the ph of our soil in any meaningful way. Honestly a waste of time.

As it works out adding organic matter to the surface then allowing the soil organisms to change it into soil will create little areas around the roots that allow a plant that requires a high ph to grow in low ph soil and vise versa. It's magic!

There are limits of course.

how warm should the temp be before uncovering hostas? Or is it just the freeze factor? usually by the end of February we have no more freezing temps, may be different this year though, I am hoping we actually get some kind of winter, would like to actually see the white stuff that I think they call snow.

Actually the soil pH can be changed quickly and easily if it is sandy. For example, if you're growing rhododendrons and azaleas, you can lower the pH easily by a couple applications of Miracid and watering it in well. Heavy soils are more difficult to work with.
Rhododendrons, hollies, mountain laurel, dogwoods,ferns (most), and wildflowers are excellent companion plants for your hosta garden. All I'm saying is don't mix lime into your compost pile if you plan to use it around these plants.
As far as removing the mulch that you have on during the winter, my suggestion is to wait at least until you are fairly sure the last freeze, and any hard frosts, are done. You'll have to make that call, as each zone and particular situation is different.
Don

Don, what you do with miracid, etc is create a liquid space on the roots that the plant uses and allows the nurtients and minerals to be available to the plant on the short term. True, it is easier in sand but difficult if not impossible in most soils.
Better to use organic matter which has the same effect and is long lasting as long as organic matter is added on the surface.

I live under and around 100 yr. old burr oaks. Yes, they have acorns. We have what we call acorn season even. The leaves fall on to and into my hosta gardens and stay there until spring when I rake them up. I rake only because I don't like the look of a dirty garden, and I hate slugs. Slugs hide and breed under the leaves. No way, not ever, no how are the leaves hurting my hosta. They are helping, and would more so if I left them. Best would be to dig them in each fall or spring, but that is WAY too much work. I may even try to leave them this spring.

Arcy, slugs live and breed where they can find food, leaves will never hurt your hosta, that doesn't mean you want them.

This is an interesting topic. I have no problem with oak leaves, however, I have been warned about the black walnut tree & how poisonous they are. Well, I have not risked a hosta near my black walnut tree, but my peonies are definately not affected. They are gorgeous. I have a lot of squirrels which take care of most of the nuts from this tree. I think the fleshy nut coating is toxic...it smells bad. Up here in Canada I leave as many leaves as possible on the plants. My mower mulches beautifully and then I rake loose leaves over my plants. I don't worry too much about the leaves blowing about...there's just too many trees!

Bel

I know someone who has a beautiful hosta garden under black walnut trees. I wish mine did as well. I'll ask her if there are other plants that seem to do poorly under black walnuts, but one thing for sure, the hostas are fine!
Those black walnut trees sure do make a mess though! I would never plant one in my yard!

The black walnut seem to be the last trees in the spring to get leaves, and the first ones in the fall to lose them! Another plant that is reported to do well under black walnut is Lily-of-the-Valley. Don

the fleshy coating is way toxic!!!!!!! it contains jugalone the same stuff the roots carries that kills your precious tomatoes, er..... well you know, the plants and flowers that die nearby one. I had a list on that and for some reason I thought peonies were on it, going to have to check that out as I need to find more ground for my plants, and there is a huge noticeable circle around that tree (have iris around it, they seem to like the tree) only thing.. not alot of sun under that there tree, don't know if I want to chance peonies there.. hmm, already making plans for next years gardens, yipeee!!! and a whole 4 months to do it in!!!