Inoneear

Welcome hilashes. In our zone as you know,it rains a lot! Its not just the cold temps but the moisture the plants sit in during the 10.5 months of winter that rot the plants. Cover the ground around the plant to stop the rain from getting into to it,then put insulation eg. bags of leaves,grass,styrofoam...lights in a wire cage.Cover the plant with plastic,but remember to leave a flap in the top to let the moisture escape.

So,back to your question. Dont dig it up. Keep the leaves on the plant [it wont harm them] You might loose some of your pups,but next year the ones that come up will outgrow your main plant.