STORE DAHLIAS

IT’S time to start lifting dahlias. Cut them back, leaving 10-15 cm of stem attached to the tubers. Store in trays covered with soil or used potting compost to keep them cool and moist, and put them somewhere cold but frost-free. Check them during winter and remove any that show signs of rotting. Or plant lifted dahlias in large pots using ordinary soil or potting compost. Keep the pots frost-free and damp only. In mild areas, you can leave dahlias in the ground. Cut the tops back and lay a mulch over them for extra protection.