---

DAHLIAS

Plant out young dahlias, either your own rooted cutting or bought plants, when danger of frost is past - from about May 20 onwards in the southern half of England, and up to the end of the first fortnight in June in the north and in Scotland. Young dahlia plants are usually about 8-10 in. high when they are supplied by the nursery.
  Plant dahlias 2½-3 ft. apart, with the same distance between rows. Take out a hole with a border spade, deep enough to receive the ball of soil around the plants roots. Place two or three handfuls of moist peat round the root ball and plant firmly, leave a shallow depression round the plant to collect rain. If the weather is dry, apply water by can or hose pipe into the saucer, which will direct it down to the roots.
Stake dahlias
All dahlias (except the bedding varieties) need staking, as their 3 ft. stems are usually too weak to support the heavy flower heads. For each plant drive a stout 5 ft. stake 12 in. into the ground. Drive in the stakes before making the holes for the young dahlias, which should be loosely tied to the stakes with loops of twine or raffia.
  Fasten a label showing the name of the variety to the top of each stake so it can be seen throughout the growing season.
  If night frost is forecast, wrap the young plants with frost fleecing, and remove it in the morning.
Under Glass
If you have pots of rooted cuttings in a cold frame, keep them well watered, and feed them once a week with a liquid fertiliser. Examine the young plants carefully and regularly for greenfly. If any are seen, spray with a systemic insecticide.
  The frame light may be opened more and more each day as the weather improves in May, and eventually propped open at night if there is no risk of frost. Leave it off altogether for a few nights before the young dahlias are planted out.