I sometimes just pull a pile of fallen leaves over my Dahlias after they die down, but sometimes I forget. Every year there's a bit of will they or won't they reappear but so far they have. No sign of new growth this year yet but it's still cold at nights.
I wouldn't worry too much yet.. my left-in-the-ground dahlias are only just now starting to show some small shoots poking through, and I'm way further south than you. They're not Bishops but the Mignons that came as free seeds in GW last year.
I left all my dahlias in the ground last autumn, just covering them with piles of straw from cleaning out the hen shed and the long grass and wildflowers OH strimmed at the end of the season. I was worried it was a bad decision as wev'e had a cold winter - for here - with plenty of late frosts but the Bishop's Children group ar now showing thru well and there are signs of the others along the bed.
For comparison, the young ones I left in pots in the polytunnel are now about 12"/30cms high but some tubers I was given a month ago by a friend who lifts and stores his are only just shooting small buds.
Patience needed then.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks everyone. I have some Bishops Children seeds which I will try, although hope I am not too late. If they grow, will leave them in and cover them with leaves. Also will try some Heliums and have planted spring and summer flowering Alliums. Also going to feed with Potash this year, rather than just Fish Blood and Bonemeal. I hope one of this lot might work! Thanks again for all the advice
Posts
For comparison, the young ones I left in pots in the polytunnel are now about 12"/30cms high but some tubers I was given a month ago by a friend who lifts and stores his are only just shooting small buds.
Patience needed then.
Thanks again for all the advice