30/10/2026
We planted lots of new varieties of dahlias this year - putting them in 3 long beds along this hedge and as you can see two thrived.
Now I took this photo after I started lifting the 3rd bed so you'll just have to take my word for it!
They were shorter and less prolific, which can be down to the varieties but we had some of the same varieties in this bed
So bed 28 is being lifted, mulched and we're going to plant something else in this bed.
We're consistently learning what to plant where in this patch.
We think the dahlias here were too close to the hedge to get the morning sun and then because of that it didn't get going fast enough and the other 2 beds then shielded the afternoon sun... Double whammy!
Chop and drop method - does as it says on the tin!
We chop down the foliage, stalks and all and leave it on the beds.
This keeps the soil covered and provides some nutrients back into the soil ready for next year.
I was hoping to leave all of my dahlias in the ground this year but needs must! These will be dried upside down and then stored somewhere dry over the winter.
The positive of lifting them is we can divide them to create more plants.
