Jack Frost is Flirting With Autumn

Autumn and Jack Frost  ♪ ♫                 
 have a good thing goin' on.   ♪
 

She beguiles and bewitches him to come join the frolic 

until he can no longer resist.  

Realizing what a flirt she is, Jack gives the cold shoulder 

and then quickly flees the scene 

leaving behind his enchanting trail of glistening frost.  

Ah-h, but Autumn is relentless and very good at her game 

and so she continues her playful dance 
enticing Jack to visit again and again.

 ♦♦♦

Jack Frost is making his rounds in my gardens.
His frosty fingers have touched some of the most tender plants 
while others still are vibrant and blooming.

 The Dahlias were the first to go.



 I'm already missing the bright oranges... 

and pinks...

and magenta of the summer dahlias.

 

 
But with a little action now, 
my dahlia's will dance in my gardens again next summer.

When Jack Frost blackens the leaves of the dahlia,

it's time to begin the over-wintering process.

• Cut the dahlia plants down, leaving a four to six inch stem stub.

• Carefully dig up the tubers by inserting a gardening fork or spade about a foot from the center of the plant and digging down about eight inches. Repeat  this action all around the plant  to loosen the soil. 

• Gently lift the plant stub to expose the tubers. These are the long bulbous portions of the root. Be careful not to break or crack the tubers long neck. A tuber with a cracked or broken neck may not grow.

• Gently remove the soil from around the tuber. Allow to dry if they are wet.

• Place several tubers in a plastic bag that you have pierced with small holes. Add sawdust  or shredded paper to absorb the moisture. 

• Store the dahlia tubers in a cool (above freezing) dry, dark place.

Just a little work now 
will bring back those lovely dahlia blooms 
next Summer!