Oooh, perhaps you're up in Brrrrmidji country! I remember blizzards on Halloween from my MN days. As I see it, you have two options and either way could work: Mulch the 3 clumps really well with leaves or straw and hope it doesn't deep freeze until you get back (odds are in favor of this;) or cut them off now, wait a couple days and process the tubers/clumps for winter. The latter is the safest thing to do given the fickleness of Mother Nature at this time of year.

LOL, I am about 2 1/2 hours north east of Brrrrrmidji! I think I am going to do the first option, maybe. I have a really busy week ahead of me. BUT if it looks like we have some nice days I might do the second option. Oh I don't know, it is going to depend on how much I have going on.

I hate to cut them while they are still blooming!! (whine)

Thanks
Jenny P

FWIW, there is a 3rd option if you have a cold room (or cool reasonably dry place.) Dig a largish area of soil around the tubers (keeping the tubers in the soil as best you can) and place those clumps of soil in garbage bags. Tie or tape the bag with a long piece of stem still sticking out.

This makes the removal processs relatively simple now (no worrying about cleaning the clump), will keep them reasonably moist until you get back, and totally avoids the possiblity of the ground being too hard to dig when you return.

I wouldn't be recommending this except that you've only 3 clumps to do.

Cheers,
Russ