OVERWINTERING DAHLIAS

Cut plants to the ground after the first frosts have blackened the foliage. In mild regions and on well drained soils, leave the tubers in the ground and cover with a deep layer of compost or leaf mould to protect them from frost. In colder areas or on heavy soils, lift and store the tubers and replant the following spring.

Lifting and storage

Carefully lift the tubers with a fork or a large shovel taking care not to spike or damage the tubers. Remove blackened foliage with secateurs and compost.

Remove any soil by washing the tubers with a hose and leave to dry (with the stems pointing downwards/roots pointing upwards) in open trays or on a potting bench). After two weeks when you are confident the tubers are fully dry you can place them whith the stems facing upwards in pots, trays, milk crates or cardboard boxes with peat free compost (old peat free compost is fine) or sand.

Doing it this way is a preventitive measure to draw any remaining moisture from the tubers and protect from humidity in the air.

Store them in a dry, safe place for the following spring.

Once dry you can store in many ways .The priority is to keep the tubers dry, frost free and in darkness.