I too have just received dahlia tubers in the post ... what should I do with them right now ? Do I store them or put them in pots (I’m planning a raised bed for them for planting out into in May) thank you
I would say that it very much depends where you can look after them @soo63zanne. Personally l keep them somewhere cool (garage) until March before starting them off. If you've got a greenhouse or somewhere that you can protect them from frost, you could start them earlier.
Thank you again AnniD ! When you say you keep them in the garage do I just leave them bare rooted in paper bags or I see folks put them in sand or peat ? I have access to an unheated green house but guess they would still be at risk of frost in that too ?
@soo63zanne , I take them out of the plastic bags and wrap them in newspaper, or you could use paper bags if you have any. If they are different varieties, just make sure that you label them (voice of experience !). I have an unheated greenhouse as well but store them in the garage as the moisture levels are lower. When l pot them up around mid March,if there are really cold nights or a cold spell forecast l put the pots under some fleece.
@fire, no they're potted up in the greenhouse and grown on until the danger of frost has passed. I tend to keep them in pots rather than plant out in the ground, partly due to lack of space and partly so l can keep an eye on slug damage etc. I do get hedgehogs in the garden but they don't seem to work hard enough! 🦔
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I have an unheated greenhouse as well but store them in the garage as the moisture levels are lower. When l pot them up around mid March,if there are really cold nights or a cold spell forecast l put the pots under some fleece.
I tend to keep them in pots rather than plant out in the ground, partly due to lack of space and partly so l can keep an eye on slug damage etc. I do get hedgehogs in the garden but they don't seem to work hard enough! 🦔