3 weeks ago I bought two little dahlias from a local shop. I planted one in a pot surrounded by a thick layer of strulch. [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/YouGarden-Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-Mulch/dp/B097RTZGCK/ref=asc_df_B097RTZGCK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=527032653979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6839814503419336756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191323&hvtargid=pla-1378199920776&psc=1&mcid=8ab8fec799ee3ad681d44c1f4b51731b https://www.amazon.co.uk/YouGarden-Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-Mulch/dp/B097RTZGCK/ref=asc]][[https://www.amazon.co.uk/YouGarden-Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-Mulch/dp/B097RTZGCK/ref=asc_df_B097RTZGCK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=527032653979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6839814503419336756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191323&hvtargid=pla-1378199920776&psc=1&mcid=8ab8fec799ee3ad681d44c1f4b51731b df]]f_[[https://www.amazon.co.uk/YouGarden-Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-Mulch/dp/B097RTZGCK/ref=asc_df_B097RTZGCK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=527032653979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6839814503419336756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191323&hvtargid=pla-1378199920776&psc=1&mcid=8ab8fec799ee3ad681d44c1f4b51731b B097RTZGCK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=527032653979&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6839814503419336756&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191323&hvtargid=pla-1378199920776&psc=1&mcid=8ab8fec799ee3ad681d44c1f4b51731b]] The other was to take to a friend but I then succumbed to Covid and it has sat on the wall waiting to be delivered. Look at difference! Not a strulch marketeer but definitely worth considering if you still have anything left to preserve (New plant since acquired for friend)