I just got some tubers from Longfield Gardens delivered, is it safe to plant them now? It’s been very warm for about a week and a half, and it doesn’t look like we’re gonna have another cold snap. I’m planting these tubers in a raised bed that I’m going to build today and I am anxious to get them in there.
Also, should I put cardboard on the bottom of my bed and then fill it? I’m not totally new to growing flowers (last spring and summer is when I first started), but I am new to dahlias and growing in a raised bed. I’m growing these specifically in a raised bed in case anything has the dreaded gall infection. Thanks in advance for any advice you all can give me!!
by dawnpower123
3 Comments
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I planted mine today (CA 9b). Cardboard is up to you. I typically don’t.
How deep is your raised bed? If it’s deeper than 10”, I’d recommend putting down hardware cloth (especially if you live in an urban environment or anywhere that has gophers, rabbits, rats, or anything that digs), then laying down with cardboard & then piling in logs & wood chips, compost, then a potting soil mix. A lot of people make the mistake of filling their raised beds with in-ground garden mix, which is too dense for raised beds. Have to kind of treat them like enormous pots.
But if it’s not freezing, that temp seems pretty okay to plant them. I’ve put out my dahlias in fabric bags in even colder conditions before (they were pre-sprouted) & they were 100% totally fine. Even with a cold snap (a very tiny frost), but obvi don’t recommend that. The point is, they’ll be fine. If it doesn’t freeze, you’ll be okay! Good luck!!