Digging Up Dahlias &
Winter Storage By: Lindsey Poe on November 28, 2024 Do you love Dahlia's as much as I do? When I first started out in the world of cut flowers, I knew that these beautiful flowers were a must-grow. These brilliant blooms come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes! They also flower in abundance from summer all the way through fall. And what is even more amazing, is that when the season comes to an end and your flowers have all faded, you can dig up the tubers to divide and re-plant the following year! Digging up Dahlias is not complicated, but it does take a bit of work and time. For our family farm, it definitely takes all hands on deck. Here are some of the tips and tricks we use to make this process a bit less daunting. If you look online you will see that there is A TON of information about growing dahlias. A lot of this info is very conflicting and I know that can be confusing for a new grower. So, why all the different methods and advice? Well, the simple reason for this is that what works for one grower may not work for another. Just like everything else in flower farming, you have to find what works for you. Everything I have learned on the farm has been through trial and error. You may not get something right the first time and that's ok. Everyone's growing conditions are different and your way may not be the same as a fellow grower. Why You Need To Dig Up Your Dahlias: Dahlias are not winter-hardy plants. That means that they cannot survive freezing temperatures. If you live in a cold climate where your ground gets really wet and freezes, you will need to dig them up or they will turn to mush. If you are in a warmer region, you may be able to leave them in the ground. When To Dig Up Dahlias: Generally, we like to dig up our dahlias after the first frost hits. There is a great deal of information out there that says that waiting until after the first frost to harvest is best because it gives your tubers time to mature. While that may be so, this is not why we do it. We wait because before the frost hits we are super busy flipping and prepping beds for overwintering. Digging up our dahlias is one of our final chores to complete for the season. Now, with that said, some folks prefer to dig their dahlias up before the first frost hits. The choice is totally up to you. You may want to experiment with doing it both ways to see what you find works best. Don't worry too much about the exact date, just get them out of the ground before it is frozen solid. How To Dig Your Dahlia Tubers: The first step we take is to loosen the soil with a shovel or pitchfork around the area where the tubers are planted. We don't want to damage them, so we start about a foot or so from the base and gently dig. Our main goal is to free them from the ground without cutting them. If you do accidentally chop into one, don't panic. As long as the "eye" is still intact, it will be ok. Once your tuber clump is free, you can gently shake off or brush away excess dirt. A Freshly Dug Clump Of Dahlia Tubers After we have worked our way down every row and dug up as many tubers as we can possibly find, we pack them into carts and take them to our storage area where they will be cleaned and packed. When we can't find any more tubers to dig, Rob hops on his tractor with the rake attachment. He slowly goes over each row and allows the rake to just break the surface. Now, I know that this is against all the rules in tuber digging. Yes, there is a chance that tubers will be cut and damaged. And yes, it does happen. But, at this point, we have collected the biggest and best clumps are are simply looking for any that may have remained behind (there are always quite a few). Cleaning Your Tubers: At this point, many people choose to wash the dirt off their tubers. Washing them lets you see their "eyes" a bit easier which helps when splitting them. We actually skip this step and pack them with the soil still on them. I feel like the dirt acts as a form of insulation and protection. We also pack them outside, so we aren't too concerned about all the mess that the left-on dirt makes. If you do choose to wash them, make sure that they are completely dry before you pack them away or they will rot. But, don't let them dry too long or they will dry out and shrink up. I know this may seem complicated, but just give it a try and experiment with what works for you. Packing Your Tubers: There are several different mediums that you can use to pack your dahlias. On our farm, we prefer to use a mix of soil and wood shaving. We use that because it is something that we generally have in excess. Other growers that I know use vermiculite or newspaper. It really is your choice. All of these mediums will work just fine. Place your tubers in a large tote and cover them completely with the medium of your choice. I also like to label each tote, so when it comes time to plant next spring, I know what is what. Temperature and Humidity: Dahlia tubers should be stored at a temperature between 40-55 degrees. If they get too cold, they can freeze and turn to mush. If they get too warm, they may sprout too early. As a commercial grower, we store them in a temperature-controlled space. As a backyard grower, you may not necessarily have this set-up ( I know that I didn't use to). Depending on your climate, a cool garage or a basement may be a good option. And if the temperature fluctuates and it's exact, don't stress. As long as it stays somewhere in that range, they should be just fine. Replanting Your Dahlias: When I am ready to plant my tubers the following spring, I open my totes and go through each one to make sure all the tubers made it through and are viable. Dalias generally are planted in the garden after the last frost date in your area. I like to wait a few weeks after this date to be sure that the soil has warmed up and that the weather will stay consistently warm. As a general rule, I say wait until daytime temperatures are above 60 degrees. I'd love to hear more about your experience with dahlias! What techniques have you found work best for you when digging or storing?
Happy Planting! XOXO
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AuthorHi! I'm Lindsey. I love all things gardening and nature. My days are spent enjoying my family, my pets (dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and ducks!), good books, homemade kombucha & sourdough everything! -XOXO Archives
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