I did plan to leave dahlias in the ground over winter on allotment. But it’s been so wet and I haven’t covered them yet. And haven’t had a frost yet . Is it too late To cover them ? I am concerned the tubers will have rotted already 🙀
I'd lift them if you have very wet soil. They're more likely to rot. You don't have to wait until there's a frost though. The main reason for doing it is to give the plants longer to flower and for the tubers to then benefit from the foliage dying back, which means bigger, more sturdy tubers for the following year. In mild areas, it could be January or February before there's frost, but the problem you might have could be consistently wet ground, which is the worst thing for them. I lifted all mine last week. They certainly can't stay in the ground, but we've only had a few, very light frosts so far this autumn, which is rare. It's all about timing and what your conditions are like though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
You don't have to wait until there's a frost though. The main reason for doing it is to give the plants longer to flower and for the tubers to then benefit from the foliage dying back, which means bigger, more sturdy tubers for the following year.
In mild areas, it could be January or February before there's frost, but the problem you might have could be consistently wet ground, which is the worst thing for them.
I lifted all mine last week. They certainly can't stay in the ground, but we've only had a few, very light frosts so far this autumn, which is rare. It's all about timing and what your conditions are like though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...