When and How to Dig Dahlia Tubers
As the chill of fall settles in, it’s time to think about caring for your dahlia tubers. One of the most common questions we get is: “When should I dig up my dahlias?” If you’ve ever Googled this, you’ve likely come across endless conflicting answers. To help clear things up, I asked Matt—who oversees farming operations here at Bloomstead —for his expert advice.
Matt says: “In warmer climates, it’s not always necessary to dig up your dahlia tubers, but if you do, wait until the foliage has died back completely. This allows the tuber to enter its natural dormancy cycle. For colder climates, like ours in Colorado, you’ll want to wait about 10 days after the first hard frost. This extra time lets the tubers harden off, making them more resilient for storage.”
Here’s a simple breakdown of when and how to dig up your dahlia tubers:
When to Dig:
-
Warmer Climates:
- It may not be necessary to dig up tubers if your winters are mild.
- If you choose to dig, wait until the foliage has fully died back for the season to allow for dormancy.
-
Colder Climates:
- Wait for the first hard frost (when temperatures drop below freezing).
- After the frost, wait an additional 7–10 days before digging to allow the tubers to harden off.
How to Dig:
- Cut back the foliage: Once the frost has killed the leaves, cut the stems down to about 4–6 inches above the ground.
- Loosen the soil: Using a garden fork, gently loosen the soil around the tuber, starting about 12 inches away from the base to avoid damaging it.
- Lift the tuber carefully: Gently lift the tuber out of the soil, being careful not to break neck or “eyes”(the small buds that will sprout next season).
- Clean off excess soil: Shake off the dirt. Wash is you plan to divide, but make sure they are dry to store—dahlias store better when they’re dry.
- Label your tubers: If you’re growing multiple varieties, label each tuber before storing, so you know what you’re planting next season.
Following these steps will ensure your dahlia tubers are stored safely and ready to bloom beautifully again next year!