dahlias too early to start yet ?

[the big lebowski]

hi all ,been saving my pennys and finally went down wilkos and got about 30 dahlias of many diff variaties I am itching to get them in trays of soil and get them started but my mum says its to early and I should wait another month am I being to impatient ? I live im Bedford and we have had only 1 mild frost day so far and that was mid jan, some will be planted on my lottie which is on a hill and fairly exposed to winds,rain and all the elements but others will go in my back garden which is surrounded by walls and building and is a very good sun trap,any advice is welcome ,thanks

[Bigmallly]

I'm assuming it's tubers that you have bought. I think your mum is right, maybe another month or 2.

https://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch...e.aspx?pid=592

[the big lebowski]

thanks bigmallly and cheers for the link,yes they are tubers and yes mums usually are right haha,cheers

[Scarlet]

I start a few of mine off in buckets in the GH now for an early start. The rest next month. I do leave a lot to over winter in the garden. They do take a long time to flower and then get hit by the first frosts so I like to get them flowering early on. One of my favourite plants!

[WendyC]

What have you got available to you to start off tubers? Greenhouse, cold frame, windowsill? They can't really go outside (and stay outside) until mid May here so if you did start them off indoors, you may well have 30 pots of dahlias around the house til then. By which time you many have fallen out with your mum, which you don't want to do! In the meanwhile keep them somewhere cool and if they are in plastic bags you might want to take them out of there as the can get a bit "sweaty" in there especially if they have been in a warm shop. Don't forget to tie on a label - unless you like the lucky dip approach.
If you add your location to your profile it will save us from keep asking!

[the big lebowski]

hi scarlet yes they are lovely plants ,can you leave them in the ground over winter ? cos I got told that they will turn to mush.

hi wendy c I don't live with my mum just pop round to see her and pop on the`puter while im here,i only have 1 window sill which I could put maybe 4 to 6 plants by but it is south facing and does get a lot of sun,ive put my location on now , thanks for the advice,cheers

[Scarlet]

I do leave most of mine in the ground and I get a few that don't make it! I think water enters through the hollow stems. Anyway, the ones that are left in the ground are pruned to ground level after the first frosts and then given a good mulch of compost. You have to be very vigilant come spring cos the tender shoots are loved by slugs!