Dahlias

Janie B · October 2020

My dahlias are running out of steam, and we have some building work planned for next week which will necessitate lifting them before the first frost. Should I replant them as they are, or would it be ok for me to cut them right back, clean the tubers and strore until next spring (as if after the first frost)? Many thanks.

B3 · October 2020

I'd store them. Then you can be sure that they'll be Ok next year.

Fairygirl · October 2020

I'd do the same. I can't see any advantage to replanting them, and it won't harm them to be lifted earlier.

If you only have a few, you could pot them up, and let them die back naturally for a bit, but it depends on whether you feel it's worth it.
All gone round here now, but we've had quite a few frosts.

Janie B · October 2020

Thanks, will lift and store. X

Nollie · October 2020

Most of mine have ran out of steam too, with scruffy foliage so have just chopped them right down and plan to store the ones I want to move anyway. Never lifted and stored before, so that’s good to know they should survive the early chop @Fairygirl 😊

Fairygirl · October 2020

I can only go by what others have done, or do, in my area @Nollie. They're better lifted than left to possibly rot too, but we get frosts from October, so it's unlikely anyone would leave them beyond that anyway. The last couple of winters have been milder, but that's worse, because it's cold, wet ground, whereas snow can be more insulating in the right spot.

I don't know anyone who grows them and doesn't over winter under cover here. Our climate would be too unreliable to leave them in the ground, unless it was a really suitable location - raised bed against a wall etc, and crossed fingers

Dahlias

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