[fatbelly]

Hi, I've been given some Dahlia Tubers & Chrysanthemums & I want to overwinter them.

I've read how to do it and with that I'm okay, but all the articles I've read says I should store them in a Frost Free environment.

What does Frost Free actually mean? I have a brick built garage that is totally dry but gets as cold as the outside temp in winter because it has no heat and is detached. So is this Frost Free or do they mean a building that doesn't go below a particular temp.

[DD.]

It will mean the temperature not going below freezing point.

Whilst your garage might be free of frost - as in the visible white stuff you see on the lawn in the morning, I bet you wouldn't store your spuds in there! (or would you?)

[fatbelly]

Thanks for the swift rely DD.

As regards my Spuds I do store them in Hessian sacks in the garage every winter and they come through unscathed. Only in that brutal winter we had a few years ago did some of them suffer but even then enough made it through.

So perhaps that's my sign that the Chrysanthemums & Dahlias should be okay in the garage, fingers crossed.

As an aside what year was that brutal winter? can anyone remember I thought it was 2012 but Mrs FB just said that it was 2010!

[fatcat1955]

If you plant them in dry sand or peat or wrap them in newspaper they should survive in your garage.

[DD.]

A brick built garage will always be a bit above ambient overnight as, apart from as you say, brutal winters, the bricks will absorb heat during the day and release it at night, like a storage heater. They are better than unheated greenhouses for keeping overnight temperatures

[fatbelly]

Thanks to all for the replies. Been most helpful, into the garage they will go and if by chance we have a really bad spell then I will temporally bring them indoors.

[GrannieAnnie]

If you mean this winter Fatbelly, it WAS 2010!  I took photo's! lol

As to garages, ours in joined to the side of the house, but nothing above it, and we used to hang the turkeys in there for Christmas, as it got nie and cold in there, but they never froze.  Unlike the ones I hung in the small brooder shed, which froze that year! 

[sunshineband]

If you mean this winter Fatbelly, it WAS 2010!  I took photo's! lol

As to garages, ours in joined to the side of the house, but nothing above it, and we used to hang the turkeys in there for Shhh..., as it got nie and cold in there, but they never froze.  Unlike the ones I hung in the small brooder shed, which froze that year! 

I remember worrying that you wouldn't be able to get the turkey to us that year, GrannieAnnie 

Our potatoes are fine in the garage , but as the floor is concrete I stand the sacks on a pallet. Just thought that might help where your dahlias are concerned Fatbelly.

[GrannieAnnie]

If you mean this winter Fatbelly, it WAS 2010!  I took photo's! lol

As to garages, ours in joined to the side of the house, but nothing above it, and we used to hang the turkeys in there for Shhh..., as it got nie and cold in there, but they never froze.  Unlike the ones I hung in the small brooder shed, which froze that year! 

I remember worrying that you wouldn't be able to get the turkey to us that year, GrannieAnnie 

Our potatoes are fine in the garage , but as the floor is concrete I stand the sacks on a pallet. Just thought that might help where your dahlias are concerned Fatbelly.

HaHa, the only person I was really worried about was a lady further west, Gloucester way I think it was.  The courier got the turkey to her local distribution centre okay, but then THEY said they couldn't get it out to my customer.  She told me that she had been into town, so why couldn't they get out to her?  I spent 4 days on the phone trying to sort it and arguing with the depot.  In the end, the lady's hubby went and picked it up on Christmas Eve! 

And because of the packaging, it was still lovely and cold!       PHEW.   (Sorry Fatbelly, hijacked your post a bit there!) 

[Kristen]

What does Frost Free actually mean?

Apart from the temperature NOT falling to/below freezing, I also take it to mean "cool" - a warm environment, whilst obviously being free from freezing, Natch!, is liable to cause the plants to start into growth too soon, and at a time when the light quality is too weak / too few daylight hours to provide enough Umph for any growth.