OCTOBER in the Dahlia Patch

It's finally time to start planning out your beds and planting your tubers! It's still been a little chilly so it's probably best to hold off planting until later in the month or even early November. A lot of growers use 2 weeks either side of Melbourne Cup day as a good guide.

FERTILISER

Before planting, it's a good time to incorporate some fertiliser into the soil if you haven't already spent the winter months improving the soil. Spread your fertiliser and using a rake and/or shovel work it through the soil thoroughly. This will give your tubers a boost while they're establishing. If you did the work during the winter to feed the soil you may wish to wait until your plants emerge and have 4-6 sets of leaves. Then as the season progresses regular feeding along with fertilising will really help to boost your plants though we are very lucky here in Robertson with our soil so don't worry too much if you're more of a set and forget gardener. Our soil also does a great job of retaining water which means we can afford to be a little lazy on the watering though through periods of hot, dry water watering is a good idea.

GET LABELLING

It's very easy to mix up your named cultivars so if you're wanting to make sure you keep track of what you've planted where now it's a good time to prepare you labels and stakes so they're at the ready when you start planting.

SNAIL PROTECTION

Snails and slugs can be a real problem for young dahlia shoots, as they’re particularly vulnerable to these pests early in the growing season. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your dahlias from snails and slugs without resorting to harsh chemicals. Here’s a guide on how to protect your dahlia shoots:

1. Physical Barriers

Creating a physical barrier around your dahlias is one of the most effective methods for keeping snails and slugs away.

• Copper Tape or Wire: Copper is a natural deterrent to snails and slugs. You can encircle your dahlia plants or pots with copper tape, which will create a small electric shock when they try to cross it.

• Eggshells, Sand, or Grit: Crushed eggshells, coarse sand, or sharp grit sprinkled around the base of your plants can deter snails and slugs, as they dislike crawling over rough surfaces.

• Slug Collars: These are plastic or metal collars you place around the base of the plant to physically block slugs and snails from reaching the stems.

2. Organic Deterrents

Several natural and organic methods can help repel snails and slugs without harming your plants or the environment.

• Coffee Grounds: Sprinkling used coffee grounds around your dahlia shoots can help repel slugs and snails. They dislike the texture and the caffeine in the grounds.

• Diatomaceous Earth: This natural powder is made from fossilized remains of diatoms. When sprinkled around the base of the plant, it creates a barrier that is abrasive to snails and slugs but harmless to plants.

• Garlic Spray: Snails and slugs are known to dislike garlic. You can make a homemade garlic spray by boiling garlic cloves in water, then cooling and spraying the solution around your dahlia shoots. This can act as a repellent.

• Beer Traps: Snails and slugs are attracted to beer. You can create traps by sinking small containers of beer into the ground near your dahlias. The pests will be attracted to the beer, fall into the container, and drown.

3. Natural Predators

Encouraging natural predators in your garden can help keep the slug and snail population in check.

• Encourage Birds, Frogs: Creating a habitat that invites these natural predators will help you control snail and slug populations. Birds and frogs all feast on slugs and snails.

• Chickens and ducks: Your poultry do a great job of hunting out slippery pests and helping to keep their numbers under control.

  
  
  
  

• Beneficial Nematodes: These microscopic organisms can be applied to the soil and will infect and kill slugs and snails. Nematodes are a natural and environmentally friendly solution, particularly effective when the ground is moist.

  
  

4. Time Your Watering

Snails and slugs are most active during the night and in damp conditions. If you water your dahlias in the morning, the soil will have dried out by evening, making your garden less attractive to these pests.

5. Handpicking

While not the most glamorous solution, handpicking snails and slugs in the early morning or evening when they are most active can significantly reduce their population. You can use a flashlight at dusk or early in the morning to find and remove them from your plants.