Totally Tubular - Winterize Your Dahlias Tubers So That You Can Enjoy Many Flowers Next Year

Dahlias are bright-colored flowers that are commonly referred to as garden plants. If you moved into a home that happened to have some dahlias growing next to it, you may be concerned about the effects that winter will have on your newfound beauties. Although dahlias are fairly hardy, they may succumb to frigid temperatures. Winterize your plant varieties now so that you can enjoy them next spring.

What Is A Tuber?

A tuber is similar to a bulb or root system. It contains thin, brown appendages that look similar to carrots. These pieces absorb the nutrients from the soil and sprout into lush plants that contain bulbous flowers.

Flowers can be enjoyed during the summer months and usually stop blooming once the weather turns colder. Although tubers are deep within the ground, moisture and frigid temperatures can permeate the ground, which is why it is necessary to protect the tubers from damage.

Remove The Tubers From The Ground

Wait for the dahlia flowers to wilt before removing the tubers from the ground. After this occurs, use pruning shears to clip back each plant's stem. Cut the stems closely toward the ground. The only part of each plant that you need to preserve is the tuber.

Removing the plant growth prior to the tuber removal is merely to make the tuber removal process as simple as possible. Keep in mind that the tubers are fragile and each appendage could become damaged if a shovel or similar garden tool scrapes the surface of a tuber.

For this reason, slowly remove the soil from the ground. After uncovering the tubers, gently pull them from the ground. Use your hands or a cloth to brush off dirt that is stuck to each tuber's surface.

Dry And Separate Tubers

Place the tubers in a hanging basket that contains vents so that moisture is drawn away from each appendage. Tubers need to dry before they are stored during the winter. When dahlias are initially planted, one tuber is usually placed in the ground.

As a season progresses and plants begin to sprout, tubers multiply, resulting in appendages that are stuck together. If this is the status of the tubers you have unearthed, it is best to separate the appendages after the drying phase so that the tubers will be ready to plant in the spring.

Use a sharp knife when dividing the tubers and make sure that each appendage contains an eye and part of the stem. Place the tubers inside of a small storage container during the winter. 

For more information, reach out to companies like Summer Dreams Farms.