Dahlias are one of the most stunning flowers that add late-season colour to your autumn garden. With their vibrant hues and blowsy blooms, dahlias provide eye-catching texture, colour and interest.
Dahlias are categorised into different groups based on flower size and shape, such as single, cactus, pompon, waterlily, and more. Because of the sheer number of varieties, these flowers fit in many garden styles, from cutting gardens to old-fashioned cottage gardens.
Pollinators love them, too, and they grow well in either landscape beds or containers.
Technically, dahlias are perennials and can be left in the ground for the winter.
"But they must be lifted after the first frost in the rest of the country because they will not survive freezing temperatures," says dahlia grower Andy Hunter of Lynch Creek Farm Dahlias. "They also do not like heavy soils such as clay, which stay too wet and cause tubers to rot."
Ahead, here's how to dig up and save your tubers for next spring– and for years to come:
Wait for the first frost
Once you have a killing frost, dahlias go from green to black overnight, says Hunter. Wait a week or two, then cut the plant down to leave about 6 inches of stem above the soil line.
Dig around the plant to loosen the soil
Use a garden fork or spade to dig a circle around the clump, about a foot from the centre stem.
Work your tool up and under the clump, then lift it out of the hole. But be gentle so you don't accidentally damage the crown, where the stems emerge, says Hunter. Side note: If your dahlia is in a container, you can dig it up, or you can store it in the container in an unheated place, such as the basement, until spring.
Clean off the soil
Rinse off as much dirt as possible, then let the clump dry in a covered location for a few days.
Don't let the clumps freeze, says Hunter. Make sure the tubers are absolutely dry, including the hollow stem, which can collect moisture, until moving on to the next step.
Store the clump
Place the clump in a clean container, and layer with moss. Do not cover the container with a lid to prevent condensation from building up, says Hunter.
Keep the container from freezing
Place your container somewhere in a cool place where it won't freeze. Check on the tubers once a month to ensure they aren't getting mushy (too wet) or shriveling up (too dry). Remove anything that is rotting and give tubers a spritz of water if they are too dry.
Divide the tubers
When it's time to plant next spring, inspect your clumps and toss any mushy ones or those with broken necks. Don't get discouraged if a few didn't make it; some cultivars are more challenging to overwinter than others, says Hunter.
Next, separate the clump into individual tubers by cutting through it with a knife. A viable tuber needs at least one eye, which is where the plant will grow from. "Dahlias don’t have eyes on the tuber itself like a potato does," says Hunter.
The eye is found on the crown area (where the stem will emerge to grow above ground). The eye looks like a small whitish or reddish bump when dormant.
You can divide in the autumn, but it’s also okay to do so in the spring — and it may be easier to see the eye as it breaks dormancy and begins to sprout.
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Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
