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Moving dahlias in Sept

RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
in Plants
If I wanted to move a dahlia, it's a bit early to lift and store?
It's in a raised border and want to move to a new border in the ground.
Is it best to just dig it all up and move, cut back half the height and move, or is it a lost cause?
I'm on the south coast and don't normally lift them through winter.

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Given the time of year, why not leave it until it dies back, then lift and store it until Spring, when it can go in the new bed?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Posy, but if you want the space for something else to go in now, you can certainly move it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    It needs to moved to make the new bed. I could wait till Oct, but still a bit early to lift and store?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't think it matter @RoddersUK. If you need to move it, you need to move it  :)
    Why not lift and pot up, then it can get enough help from the compost until it's dormant. 
    To be honest, we'd need to bring them in here during October- probably early Oct. I've not grown them for a while, but I certainly had to do it then when I did. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    I just don't want to affect them, they are massive and well established, I'll do my best to keep them alive!

    Everything in the raised borders I'll dig up and pot up, it's only the dahlia I was concerned about.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    You could move it now,  you’ll probably need a pick axe or mattock,  get the biggest root ball you can. I couldn’t even lift ours when we dug them up.
    It will probably die off if you do but leave the green on until the frost gets it then cut it back.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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