How to know when to dig dahlias and the easiest way to store dahlia tubers 💐

Looking for an easy way to care for your dahlia tubers this winter? In this video (part 2), we cover digging and storing your dahlias. We’ll talk about how to know when to dig your dahlias up (when is too early or too late), how to dig up the tubers without breaking them, and the easiest way to store them over the winter. I have a pretty unconventional and simple method of storing my dahlias tubers. I discovered it by experimenting, and it works every year! I hope that this video will make you feel more confident growing dahlias and less overwhelmed by winter dahlia care techniques.

In my last video (part 1) we talked about how to determine if can leave your dahlias in the ground over the winter, and what to do about dahlias in containers.

My name is Eve Hanlin and I’m a dahlia farmer from the PNW, USA. I have learned a lot through trial and error, and am excited to be sharing growing tips with you.

DAHLIAS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO:

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[atthebeachswim]

Glad to hear how you store your dahlias because I stored mine in an open box in my garage 2023-2024 and they all survived! In the past I have tried storing the tubers wrapped in newspaper and placed in a closed container and not many survived. I live on the coast of MA. Maybe we just had a mild winter. But I'll store them like you again. I tuned in to learn how to divide dahlia tubers and got a great education!
Thank you

[brendamaun]

There's absolutely no way you cannot call yourself an expert. Your garden is fantastic!

[mariedyde]

I live in the uk, and have grown bishop of Llandaff dahlia for the last 3 years. I left it in the ground with old compost piled over the top. Because we don't get the really cold weather like the U S gets my dahlia never gets the frosted treatment, so I just wait till its obvious to cut it back. Now I have had to dig it up, it has grown so huge it is overwhelming the area I planted it in. I have donated it to a friend who has a much bigger garden. From now on, because I am 70, have a very small fadden, and nowhere to store my dahlia, I am going to treat it as an annual, so I whole heartedly support your final suggestion. In the UK we can buy dahlia tubers for around £7.99 so it doesn't break the bank to do that. I could even leave it in the ground fir 2 years and replace after that. Thanks for the video

[sydhawdon]

Thank you, i have learned soo much. Im a first time Dahlia grower and ive had a great show this year.
Im going to store my tubers for next year, now i know what to do with them.😁

[joycekerr]

Lovely and very comprehensive information Evelyn! Thank you very much from Northern Ireland!

[Indy_Kullar]

Thanks so much for your thorough explanation of Dahlia storage for the winter - this is my 1st time, so wish me luck!!!

[annemariewetmore]

Again—such incredible information. Thank you for sharing

[cherigreen]

I just moved to the south zone 8a a year ago. I planted dahlias this past year and I am going to leave them in the ground and see what happens. I don’t really have a place to store them. I loved all your info! I have to think like you as well, it is either sink or swim because I just don’t want to fuss too much with whatever I plant. Great video! 🥰

[gick]

I looked up putting cardboard in the garden and your video came up. Loved the way you say “not an expert” but what works for you. Then I have 1 dahlia bulb that I’ve had for several years planted in the ground but this spring I dug it up and grew it in a pot. Looked up how to over winter it and again your video came up. I’m going to store in paper bag with some white shavings that I use in my chicken coop and see what happens. Also a PNB Wa resident. Thank for your straight forward approach.

[BJ-uhcg]

GREAT videos! My tip; after dividing the tubers, I sprinkle sulfur on the big cuts to help prevent rotting of the exposed tissue. So far so good!

[leslieschnakenberg]

I live in Penna. and have clay soil. I learned from my aunt, who learned from her mother to dig up the dahlias leaving them in the clump of dirt. When i tried storing them with the dirt cleaned off (that was what the "experts" said to do), i lost many more than i saved. I do not do any dividing or cleanup of them till spring when the new growth is obvious. So your "lazy" method works best for me at least!

[indranibanerjee]

this year was my first time I stored my Dalia bulbs in a big card board box & filled it with peat moss & shreaded news paper & kept it in the garage. took them out in end of Feb, they came back this year & now i am waiting to see them bloom. thanks for your video.

[gardenfunwithjane]

Hi from Utah! I live in a desert 🏜️ I have tried everything to store my dahlias over the winter for several years. and finally this winter I used the Saran wrap method. Halejuah! I have success. These are my babies and I am thrilled to have found a method that works. I don't love plastic waste but am grateful I get to keep my dahlias through the winter. Happy to have found you. Keep the videos coming

[LyndelHaynes-temk]

❤ your best advice…. Buy new each year

[katipohl]

Here in Germany I don't have experience with storing dahlias but will start this winter. But I have an easy method for storing yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) which is a relative of dahlias in the family of Asteraceae. After harvesting the storage roots I divide the rhizomes and plant them into pots with commercial compost without washing or watering. In spring I start watering and bring the potted plants to the greenhouse.

[brianjohnson]

first timer here! Thanks... ok here i go wish me luck

[MaireadBattersby]

Hi ! I have just watched some of your Dahlia videos. I live in Northern Ireland and planted dahlias in containers but they didn’t flower 😢 well I had a few very tiny flowers. Any advice? We did have a very wet and sunless summer!!(typical Irish weather!😂)
Grateful for your expert advice

[MatthewMarks-vn]

I love the way you put it to us very simple to understand well done evllen

[jiyaruthman]

Thank you so much dear! Your dahlia videos are needed for us!

[sanjeewagoonasekera]

thanks for sharing your experiences, this was very helpful