Digging and Storing Dahlias for the winter

Have you looked at your dahlias lately? They probably look like this –

Dahlias are not very hardy and although our winters here can be mild, there is another problem that arises from leaving them in the ground – wet soil. The damp conditions during the winter can rot the dahlia tubers. Therefore, if your soil is heavy and wet, it is recommended that you dig and store your tubers for the winter. Here is how to do it –

Wait until a week or two after the first frost to dig the tubers. If you can’t do that, you can wait but it is recommended that you dig them up before mid November.

First, cut back the dead foliage –

Loosen the soil around the perimeter of the clump with a pitch fork (you can also use a shovel but a fork is easiest).

Rock the clump gently until you can remove it from the ground.

Clean the tubers by washing off the soil (the jet stream from your hose nozzle is good for this).

Inspect the tubers and cut away any that are rotting or generally don’t look good!

It is now time to store the tubers. You can either divide now or wait until next spring. If you decide to cut and divide the tubers now, let them sit for a few days to completely dry before packing them.

Label the tubers if you don’t want to loose the names. You can attach a label or just label the box or paper you are storing them in.

Store the tubers in a cardboard box or a container that is not air tight. They also need a slightly moist environment. There are a variety of materials you can use – in this example, I am using woodchips. You can also use peat moss, shredded paper, vermiculite or a similar medium that will stay moist.

Spread a thin layer of your medium across the bottom of the box –

Wrap the tubers in newspaper, a paper bag or plastic wrap. Place them in the box –

Loosely cover with more wood chips (or whatever medium you prefer) –

Store the box in an area where it doesn’t freeze (40-50 degrees is ideal). I store mine in an unheated garage. It is best to place the box on a shelf. Just avoid placing them on concrete surfaces.

Check the tubers about once per month to make sure they are not drying out. If they appear to be shriveling, lightly mist them with water.

Next spring, the tubers will be ready to put back in the ground.