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dahlias overwintering

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  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    Buried some tubers in the ground some time ago from the pound shop and wasn't expecting much but have been amazed at what has grown. Beautiful dark red and red/white ones. Flowered rather late in the year and if the frost comes they will have had a short life but lovely while they last.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Went out this morning, car windows were icey, no sign of ground frost at all, dahlias still looking lovelly, I didnt know they sold them in the poundshop. 
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @Nanny Beach. In our 'version' they usually have a garden section but it has currently been taken over by Halloween  :/ Will probably make an appearance again in Spring.
    Most of my shrubs have come from there and I have no complaints. Where I live we have to pay 1.20 but what's 20p among friends when you get good results  :)
  • RubyLeafRubyLeaf Posts: 260
    Fairygirl said:
    Snow insulates plants though, AlliumpPS - unless they're soaking first, in which case they tend to freeze. Snow falling on fairly dryish ground will create a layer of warmer air round plants.  :)
    I should have added that a good layer of mulch over them will help insulate them, NB, as has been said. However,  like the snow, insulation only works if you aren't trapping cold and wet. If you mulch directly over a wet plant in wet soil, you'll simply trap that as well, causing rot in plant crowns, and in the case of dahlias, the tubers. 
    You can avoid that issue in wet areas by using a cloche instead, or even a hanging basket with fleece [or similar ] over it and pegged down :)
    Is it okay to mulch over ground that is a bit wet? I'm assuming mulching over very soggy ground would be a no no.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Aparently Mark Twain said if you dont like the weather in England, wait ten minutes, All the dahlias look fantastic I dont want to put them into hibernation until I have to its a difficult one RubyLeaf.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I also buy Gardners Weekly, this week it says, cut them back get them in now.
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872


    Just practising putting a photo on from an email. It has actually worked! This is one
    of my dahlias from the "pound shop". The head had been knocked off so I brought it home for my daughter to take a photo of it and to email to me. They are still doing fine
    in spite of a little frost we had the other day. 








  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Am I the only person who can't see anything?
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    RubyLeaf said:

    Is it okay to mulch over ground that is a bit wet? I'm assuming mulching over very soggy ground would be a no no.
    Apologies RubyL - I didn't see your query  :(
    I think that would be ok - but it would really depend on how wet, as in - how long is a piece of string... ;)
    It's a personal judgement, and you have to take into consideration the conditions and climate in your own garden. If in any doubt - lift, or use a different method of protection. 
    Sorry - I'm not sure that's very helpful! 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @Hostafan1 Oh dear is it my thread? Just when I thought I had achieved something you have burst my bubble! Just hoping maybe someone else out there can see something. Maybe I'm the only one. 😕
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