Digging, Dividing & Storing Dahlia Tubers

By frankrichards16
October 18, 2015

In the colder climate zones, dahlias have to be dug up in the fall and stored for the winter. I have been digging and storing tubers for many years. I have tried many different methods. Here is what works best for me.

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Oct 17, 2015 7:46 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt
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Thank you for making this simple
I just had my first frost last night and expect a freeze tonight.

One question what if we head into very cold weather ? can I mulch heavy to leave them in the ground for 2 weeks? or do I risk freezing the tubers?
..a balanced life is worth pursuit.
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Oct 18, 2015 5:44 AM CST
Name: Frank Richards
Clinton, Michigan (Zone 5b)

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@gardengus

I would just dig them up. Waiting for a couple of weeks just makes it easier to see next years buds, makes dividing easier.
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Oct 18, 2015 5:59 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt
Beekeeper Bee Lover Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Cottage Gardener Herbs Wild Plant Hunter
Hummingbirder Butterflies Birds Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Organic Gardener Vegetable Grower
Thanks
..a balanced life is worth pursuit.
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Oct 18, 2015 8:15 AM CST
Name: Arturo Tarak
Bariloche,Rio Negro, Argentina (Zone 8a)
Dahlias Irises Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Roses
Hello Cinda, perhaps you might consider that the chances for your tubers freeze in the ground are very low when the first frosts arrive. The soil is quite warm from the summer temperatures. In soil temperature graphs the peaks in the upper foot or so, are surprisingly in fall rather than summer, because soil temperature keeps building up.. the coldest temps only in early spring. The idea of helping the tuber develop their next years buds in the ground as they probably did originally in nature in their high altitude native Mexico, is something I had overlooked and I'm very grateful for Frank's advice. I also lift my tubers although I tend to have milder winters., but some may be unexpectedly cold and if I left my tubers in the ground I learnt by the hard way, they are gone. Here in the southern hemisphere we are planting our dahlias. I start them indoors in pots and move them out in about a month's time. Yesterday I finished potting all of mine. All the best Arturo
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Oct 18, 2015 10:00 AM CST
Name: Dirt
(Zone 5b)
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Wonderful!
Thank you Frank!
For the first time I have a dahlia that I like so much I was wondering how to go about trying to save it--perfect timing indeed!
I'll give it a try Smiling
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Oct 18, 2015 11:21 AM CST
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Thank you, Frank.

This is my first year growing dahlias and I want to save the tubers. Your instructional article has step-by-step details and photos that visual learners need.

I would like to store mine in the craw space, and I need to know how warm will tubers tailorate without sprouting. I know that the space stays under 60° and above 40°.

Gerry
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Oct 18, 2015 8:01 PM CST
Name: Frank Richards
Clinton, Michigan (Zone 5b)

Hydrangeas Peonies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Master Level
@profesora

a crawl space works great for tuber storage.
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Oct 18, 2015 8:17 PM CST
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Thanks
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