Do you have tender plants out now?

15 years ago

Specifically, canna, dahlia and colocasia (elephant ear/taro)?

What about tomatoes?

Have you sowed cucumbers?

I'm in Tacoma, z8. Today and yesterday have been steamy, haven't they? but before that I think the average night temps were in the high 40s?

I still feel like I'm in murky territory with these tender guys. Someday I'll get the hang of it.

Thanks,

Kristin

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Comments (7)

scarleta
15 years ago
Kristin:Dahlias should be ok now.My tomatoes are still in the pots in the greenhouse at night and in the process of being hardened off.IN about 5 days or so they will go out.Cucumbers,squash, zucchinis are not sprouting as yet.Planted 3 days ago in the greenhouse.
Cucumbers like it hot and zucchinis and squash also.With the weather pattern we are having its hard to plan so I think I am doing ok a bit late with everything this year, but so is the weather too cold...Wishing you happy gardening..Watch for those slugs who adore dahlias...
Embothrium
15 years ago
Dahlias may even overwinter in the ground for years here on a well-drained soil. Tomato plants and basil etc. on the other hand like it tropical, those I have seen set out for sale here so far have all had the telltale yellow growing tips indicating they have been chilled. I think the cut-off is supposed to be 50F or so, 40s not being warm enough. WSU used to say to put tomato plants out first week of June and may still do so, as with house plants it needs to be summer or summer-like to suit them.
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girlndocs
Original Author
15 years ago
Dahlias may even overwinter in the ground for years here on a well-drained soil.

I never even knew people dug up dahlias until I moved out of my mom's house. She had two great big clumps that a previous owner planted and they just lived happily in the front flowerbed for almost 20 years, still do as far as I know. My soil is heavy though, and stuff tends to rot in the winter rains.

Kristin
jennie
15 years ago
My dahlias I leave in the ground, and they're just poking up now. Sluggo has been spread, or they get eaten back. They, and my cimifuga simplex, seem to be slug candy. They just can't get started without the sluggo.

Some dahlias survive being left in the ground for me, and some do not--so it's not just the soil, but the variety itself.
Embothrium
15 years ago
Yes: 'Bishop of Llandaff' for instance seems more tender.
scarleta
15 years ago
Dahlias may even overwinter in the ground for years here on a well-drained soil.

Yes dahlias can be left in mild winter climate but they will do far, far better when you dig them out no matter how mild.The flowers will be bigger and you will have more of them.The tubers ideally should be divided every year.
So if you want spectacular show quality flowers then you need to dig them out every year and you will see the difference.I have done it both ways and the difference is really big if you take them out..
buyorsell888
15 years ago
I have my cannas out and just bought some tomatoes. Most of my tender plants stay in the greenhouse though.

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Do you have tender plants out now?

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scarleta

Embothrium

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Do you have tender plants out now?

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