Blackened dahlias and begonias.

[cheops]

Heavy frost last night but not surprising at this time of the year. As a result my blooming dahlias and begonias are blackened and will not recover. I don't lift either of these tubers and they always survive. My question is - should I cut away and remove all this dead and blackened foliage or leave it to rot slowly over the winter months.

[WendyC]

Personally I would cut it away. What do you usually do as it seems to work for you?

[cheops]

Thx Wendy. I usually leave it - nutrients back into the soil and protection of the tubers from further frost. I was curious what was the recommended action.

[bramble]

I would cut back all the blackened foliage and cover the crowns with soil to give them a fighting chance of regrowing next year. If you havnt got mzny you could put some fleece down and secure it with bricks. Anything to give a bit of protection.

[Martin H]

I cut the stems down to about 6 inches so I know where they are, then mulch with garden compost.

[Alicante]

I also cut the dahlia stems down to about 6 inches and mulch with compost to protect them over the winter. It can be a bit hit and miss though. Last year I planted 9 new dahlias ( Wilkos bargain bags of 3 mixed tubers for £3) and only 4 survived to flower again this year, all of them white! On the other hand I have a pink dahlia treated exactly the same which is over 10 years old.

[cheops]

The general consensus is cut back and cover/protect. I shall do this - thx everybody.

[Snadger]

I normally plant the tubers under a privet hedge for the winter.The ones I forget to dig up add a bit of colour to the hedge next year!