Dahlias (Still) Blooming - November 2026

Something wild:  I'm still getting dahlia blooms in the first week of November.  In Zone 6a/5b.  Yes...that's right.  I'm still snip'ing off a handful of blooms from the dahlias.  Because...we haven't had a hard frost yet.  

I wrote about the lack of first hard frost for our area back in late October.  At that time, I pointed to this post from the University of Illinois State Climatologist who has a map up for the 'latest' first frost on record (which is since 1991 to 2020).  Here's a link to that map.   I've pasted the map below.  

But, before we talk about it, let's take a look at the dahlias that are (still) blooming.  Below are a few photos showing Sweet Nathalie dahlia, Great Silence Decorative Dahlia and (Not) Rip City.

Great Silence Decorative Dahlia

Great Silence Decorative Dahlia

(Not) Rip City Dahlia

There are more, like the Saint Martin little ones and a few Blue Wish and some buds on Cafe au Lait.  

Can I say something:  I don't know that I love this?  I mean...I guess it is a good thing, right?  More blooms. 

But...I'm kinda over them.  Over the gardening season. 

However...the plants are all still green.  And, that means the tubers are STILL IN THE GROUND.

Would it be rude to just ask for a frost?  

So, I can begin the process of digging the tubers up?