Dahlias are absolute showstoppers in the garden, but here’s the catch: they aren’t winter-hardy. In fact, there isn’t a single dahlia variety out there that can survive a freezing winter in the ground. If you want those gorgeous blooms back next year, you’ve got to tuck them away properly for the season. Here’s my guide on how to do it right!
Finding the Perfect Winter Home
The ideal spot for your dahlia tubers is somewhere dark and dry. A cool basement is usually your best bet, especially if you can keep the temperature right around 40-45°F (5°C). If it gets much warmer than that, your dahlias might get confused and start sprouting way too early while they’re still in storage.
Other Ways to Overwinter
Don’t have a basement? No worries! There are a few other ways to keep your dahlias safe until spring:
- Overwintering in pots
- Overwintering outdoors (with extra protection)
Step-by-Step: How to Overwinter Your Dahlias
Ready to get your hands dirty? Follow these steps to make sure your tubers survive their winter nap:
- Don’t rush to dig them up at the first sign of fall. Dahlias can actually handle a few chilly nights. Wait until the first frost hits and the foliage turns brown and withered—that’s your signal. Try to pick a dry day for digging; it’s much easier to shake off dry soil than heavy, wet mud. Use a garden spade or shovel to carefully lift the tubers, being extra careful not to nick or damage them.
- Once they’re out of the ground, trim the stems back so there’s only about four inches left. I like to use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil around the roots before lifting them completely.
- Let the tubers dry out in a warm spot for a few days. Once they’re dry, brush off any remaining dirt. This is the time to be picky: check for any rotten or damaged spots and toss those out. You only want to save the healthy, firm tubers for next year.
- Now for the cozy part: wrap your tubers in newspaper and layer them into a wooden crate or box filled with dry sand or peat moss.
- Don’t just “set it and forget it.” Every few weeks, take a peek at your tubers to check for mold or soft spots. This is especially important if your storage area is a bit on the humid side.
Pro Tip:
Trust me on this one—label your tubers! Use a small tag or a piece of masking tape to note the variety or the flower color. It saves you from a total “color chaos” guessing game when you’re ready to plant them back out in the spring.
Quick Checklist for Success
Here’s the “too long; didn’t read” version of dahlia winter care:
- Dig up the tubers on a dry fall day after the first frost.
- Cut the stems back to about 4 inches.
- Store them in a cool, dark place in sand or paper.
- Check on them periodically to make sure they stay healthy.
