Dahlia help

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I bought one late last summer just to add to my potted plants on the patio. I assumed it had died over winter. Used the pot fro a large primrose today and found this (picture attached) which looks very much alive. What should I do with it? Can’t keep it indoors in a pot (bloody cats will dig).

Plant it in the garden but plant it deep enough so that it doesn’t get frosted. I have some planted in my garden that come up each year. Or if you have another pot plant it and keep it frost free

Great. Thank you - have some lovely deep planters kept next to a near south facing house wall so that should do, shouldn’t it? (Only a very shallow, poorly soiled ‘flower’ bed right now in the back until I sort it)

I would not plant it out just yet. It looks really healthy, but, wet and frost can really damage dahlias. I would keep it in the dark for now, either in a paper bag or sitting on a seed tray of compost. Once you see some little green shoots plant it out. Dahlias are very easy but hate sitting in cold wet soil. They can go mushy and then prone to insect damage

Do you have a shed or garage to stick it in?

My Mum dug up her dahlias every year and stored them as tubers over winter, repotting in the spring. You can just store it in a box in the shed or in a cupboard and repot when it's warmer. I always mean to dig mine up but forget usually so just leave them where they are and hope for the best each year!!

Ok. Shed it is for now - thanks all.