Can anyone tell me what I should put my dahlias in once I've dug them up, I've read about peat but I don't really want to use this, what about hay/straw or just ordinary multi-purpose compost?Any ideas would be appreciated please! ??? ???
It does not really matter what you use. The object is to store the tubers over Winter in a material which is relatively pathogen free, dry and which does not decompose in storage. Peat is all of those things. Sawdust, dry multi-purpose compost, shredded newspapers all would do equally as well. Just make sure the tubers are thoroughly dry before storing and check them occasionally for rotting.
A light dusting with flowers of sulphur (or a proprietory brand of fungicide if you prefer) before storing will help to prevent danger of rotting in storage.
There's a very good series of articles on what to do with dahlias here :-
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/index.htm
Josh