Make sure your Dahlias do not freeze in the garden, this is the time they need to come out. In areas where it does not freeze you can also choose to leave the Dahlia tubers in the ground and cover them with leaf soil. However, this can cause some loss, especially with a too wet winter the tubers can sometimes rot. My experience is that it is best to take them out and store them in a frost-free place.

Some gardeners rinse the tubers completely before storing them. I don't prefer this. I prefer to shake off some of the loose soil and then let them dry for a few days. When the tubers are hand dry, you can pack them.

First cut the stems a few centimetres above the tuber, not too long stems, especially green parts of the stem can rot.

Storing Dahlia tubers

During storage, make sure that you pack the Dahlia tubers well. Put them in a box or crate, rolled up in old newspapers or in wood chips. This packaging material ensures that the Dahlia tubers do not dry out too much. A Dahlia can dry out considerably during storage and shrivel completely if you do not pack them well.

You can also wrap them in newspapers and put them in plastic bags, but if you do that you must ensure that there is always some fresh air. At the end of April, beginning of May, when the risk of night frost has disappeared, you can plant the Dahlia tubers again.

If you dig up the Dahlias, and are still busy in the garden, it might be a good idea to plant spring flowering bulbs at the same time in the spot where you dug up the Dahlias. The large Alliums can easily be planted in the spot where your large Dahlia stood. Or try one of the many other spring flowering bulbs, there is still a nice selection in stock in the Fluwel web shop.

» Also read: Keeping tulip bulbs for next year

Kind regards,

Carlos van der Veek