Storing Dahlias Safely for the Winter

Dahlias come in all shapes and sizes, from the large dinner plate dahlia, to the smaller window box dahlia. Since the winters are so cold up here in Michigan, they cannot be left in the ground (although I did try it one winter), or they will die. So it is about this time that I am thinking about digging them up to save for next year.

For those of you who are new to this, let me explain. In the spring, you purchase the tubers. Sometimes they come in a package with only a sprout showing. Other times they come as annuals do, in a four or six pack with plant and flowers in all their glory. You plant them in the ground and reap a whole summer full of beautiful flowers. When fall comes, it is time to save them for the next year.

Either just before, or just after a frost, but before the ground freezes, carefully dig up the tubers. You will notice that they are larger than when you first planted them. Cut off the plant at the point where it emerged from the ground. Shake off as much dirt as you can and store them in a brown paper shopping bag, completely covering them with woodchips. I use the cedar chips that are sold in stores for small animals. When the tubers are in the bag, place the bag in a cool part of the basement.

In the spring, when the ground warms up, and after all chance of frost is past, it is time to plant the tubers. If you want to, this is the time that you can divide the tubers to make more plants. All you have to do is break them apart, leaving two to three tubers per plant. Then, using the leftover stem as a planting guide, dig a hole so that the old stem is at ground level. If you are planting a tuber that doesn't have an old stem, just plant it at about the same depth as the others.

Using this method, you should have little trouble over wintering your dahlias. Few, if any should die.

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