A frost took half the dahlias last week

We had an unusually early frost warning last week and only had time to strip about half the remaining dahlia beds before temperatures dropped. The rest went soft overnight, which is simply what happens — dahlias are one of the most frost-tender things we grow.

It’s a useful reminder for anyone who’s only ever bought flowers from a shop with a refrigerated case: real seasonal flowers exist on the weather’s schedule, not a delivery schedule. We’d rather tell you honestly that the dahlias sold out early this year than pad the shelf with something flown in to cover the gap.