As a gardening and landscape gardening expert , I have encountered many questions about winter plants , including dahlia . Dahlias , with their beautiful blossom and vibrant colors , are a pop pick for many gardeners . But when it comes to leaving them in the ground over winter , there are a few factor to consider .
first , it ’s important to remark that dahlia are not considered hardy flora . Unlike bulbs , which have a protective forbidden bed , dahlias are tubers with thin peel . This means they are more susceptible to rot and freeze damage . So while it is possible to pull up stakes dahlias in the land over wintertime , it does arrive with some peril .
If you last in a realm with balmy winters or if you have a peculiarly sheltered blot in your garden , you may be able to successfully winter your dahlias . In such cases , it is authoritative to take some precaution to protect the tuber from the common cold .
One style to do this is by adding a layer of mulch around the base of the plant . This will help isolate the soil and leave some protection against freeze temperature . It ’s advocate to practice a mulch that is at least several inches thick , such as chaff or sliced leaves .
Another choice is to dig up the tubers and store them in a nerveless , teetotal place over wintertime . This method earmark you to have more control over the conditions in which the tuber are stored , reducing the risk of decompose or freeze damage . To do this , hold off until the leafage has died back after the first frost , then cautiously savvy up the tuber , being heedful not to damage them . Shake off any excess grime and appropriate them to dry out for a few sidereal day . Once dry , stack away them in a cool , dry space , such as a cellar or service department , in a container filled with a material like peat moss or vermiculite .
In the bound , when the danger of frost has passed , you may replant the tubers in your garden . check that to choose a cheery smear with well - run out soil . Before planting , you may want to consider dividing the tubers if they have grown enceinte . This can help promote healthy emergence and more abundant efflorescence .
It ’s deserving mentioning that overwintering dahlias can be a bit of trial and error mental process . It ’s not rare for gardeners to drop off some genus Tuber to rot or freeze damage , peculiarly in colder climate . However , with right tutelage and attention , many nurseryman are able to successfully overwinter dahlias and revel their lulu for eld to descend .
In my own experience , I have try both leaving dahlias in the ground and storing them over winter . In a peculiarly harsh wintertime , I lost a substantial portion of my dahlia that were left in the basis . Since then , I have prefer to dig them up and store them to ensure their survival . While it does need some extra effort , I have found that this method gives me more control and peace of mind .
To summarise , while dahlias can be bequeath in the background over winter , they are not considered hardy and are more susceptible to rot and freeze price . If you live in a mild climate or have a sheltered garden , you may be able to successfully winter them with some precautions . However , if you want to assure their survival , digging up the tubers and storing them in a coolheaded , dry position is the recommended overture . at long last , the choice will depend on your specific clime and gardening conditions .
Caroline Bates
