I almost used the words “wrapping up” in the title, but thought that might be confused as a reference to storing dahlias. My preference is putting the tubers in gallon plastic bags with vermiculite. In the October ADS Newsletter, we investigated some of the ways to dig, divide and store dahlias, You may revisit the October Newsletter here.
Don’t forget about the soil you left behind in your garden. For dahlias and other plants and vegetables, it is timely to go to your local garden center and get instructions for a soil test. There are any number of probes and meters available. If you get this far, you should ask about an expert soil testing alternative. Most state agricultural extension services perform this service. Private laboratories are also available. See links below.
I regularly read about cover crops as part of “sustainable gardening.” My one experience, at least a decade ago, involved rye that grew knee-high before I tried to till it into the ground. It jammed a powerful rototiller. The experiment ended in failure. In preparing this newsletter, I investigated cover crops and ended up ordering a pound of recommended white clover seed. I no longer have the rototiller but will not let the plants rampage if they bloom. I have attached some links on cover crops below, and even a discussion of their use in no-till gardens.
Or maybe it is time to add lasagna to your garden? More info here.
In the December Newsletter we will suggest some gifts for your dahlia-addicted relatives or friends. In the meantime, one last piece of advice: “You do not have to wait until frost to dig your dahlias.” Four months in the ground is enough for the tubers to mature. If you don’t see eyes, store all the divisions and look in the spring. Digging in the snow is not fun.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
Harry Rissetto
