Preparing Dahlias for Winter
This week I’m preparing my dahlias for winter. These unique, colourful plants are tender perennials and their tubers need digging up and storing over winter if you want to enjoy them again and again..
Background on Dahlias
Dahlias are native to Central America and thrive in warm, sunny conditions. In the UK, they can bloom for long periods, often until the first frost, however will not survive the winter without a little care.
Why Now?
The ideal time to prepare an store your tubers is either once the first frost has hit, or the leaves on the plant have begun to blacken and die. Taking up the tubers and storing them now gives them the best chance to revive into stunning blooms next year.
What You’ll Need:
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Dahlia plants
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Dry compost
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A container for storage
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Frost-free space (greenhouse, shed, garage, even under the bed!)
Step-by-Step:
- Trim back the plant until you have stalk but no growth.
- Lift plants from containers or borders once first frost has hit or their leaves have died off.
- Remove as much compost as you can, being careful not to damage the tubers.
- Store them somewhere warm and dry for 7-10 days, or until dried.
- Remove any remaining excess compost before covering with dry compost, sawdust, or anything else that will keep the tubers warm and dry.
- Store them somewhere dry, in a greenhouse, a shed, garage, or even under the bed.
Aftercare:
Keep the tubers somewhere until around March when they will be ready to be planted once again.
