10/09/2026
Dahlia Season Has Come to an End, Time to Dig Up Those Tubers!
🌸 Before we get started, I want to mention that this is simply how we dig, prepare, and store our dahlia tubers here at Crisp Country Gardens.
There are several different methods of overwintering dahlias, and what works wonderfully for one gardener may not work as well for another.
Some gardeners wash their tubers, others leave the soil on. Some divide them in the fall, while others wait until spring. Storage methods can also vary depending on the space and conditions available.
That doesn't necessarily mean one method is right and another is wrong! 🌿
Over the years, we've learned through trial and error, including losing tubers to some very hungry little critters! 😂
We've adjusted our methods based on our experiences and what works best for our growing conditions and storage space.
Gardening is a continuous learning experience, and even after years of growing, there's always something new to discover!
So here's a little look at how we prepare our dahlias for another Ontario winter. 🌸🍂🌸🍂
With our first frost officially behind us, it's time to start digging up the dahlias and preparing them for winter storage!
But why do we dig them up, and what exactly goes into storing them for the winter? Let me walk you through my process! 🌿
❄️ Why do we wait until after the first frost?
Dahlias are tender perennials, meaning they cannot survive our harsh Ontario winters in the ground. The first frost usually damages or kills the foliage, signalling that the growing season has come to an end.
By waiting until frost, we allow the plants as much growing time as possible to develop and mature their tubers underground. A light frost won't necessarily harm the tubers because the soil provides some insulation, but we need to get them out before the ground freezes!
🌱 Why do we use a pitchfork instead of a shovel?
Dahlia tubers grow in clusters beneath the soil, and they're surprisingly easy to damage!
I prefer using a garden fork because it allows me to gently loosen and lift the soil around the plant without cutting straight through the tubers with a shovel blade.
I always start digging a good distance away from the main stem to avoid damaging the tuber clump. Even with a fork, you still need to be careful not to pierce them!
🔍 Checking for rot and gall
Once the tubers are out of the ground, I inspect them for signs of rot, damage, and something called gall.
Gall is a disease that causes abnormal growth on the tubers or around the crown of the plant.
There are two types commonly associated with dahlias:
🌿 Crown gall causes unusual, swollen, tumour-like growths around the crown or tubers.
🌿 Leafy gall causes clusters of abnormal, tightly packed shoots or buds, often around the base of the plant.
Both are caused by bacteria, and unfortunately, infected plants should not be saved or replanted because the bacteria can spread through contaminated soil, tools, and plant material.
I also check for any soft, mushy, or rotting tubers. Anything showing signs of disease gets separated from the healthy ones.
🏷️ Labeling is important!
When you're growing multiple varieties of dahlias, keeping everything labeled is a must!
Once those flowers are gone, many tubers look remarkably similar. Without labels, you could end up with quite the surprise garden next year! 😂.
I do not have names to all my dahlias but I know height and color and that helps too.
💨 Drying the tubers
After cleaning and inspecting them, I leave my tubers out for approximately 24 hours to allow the surface moisture to dry.
This helps reduce the risk of excess moisture encouraging rot during storage.
The goal is to dry the outside of the tubers, not dry them out completely!
🐭 Why do we hang our dahlias from the ceiling?
Here's something we've learned through experience!
Our basement is actually more of an old-fashioned cellar, and in previous years, we discovered that mice or other little critters had been helping themselves to our stored dahlia tubers!
And here's an interesting fact: Dahlia tubers are edible! They're underground storage organs, much like potatoes, although they are not the same plant and don't necessarily taste the same.
Unfortunately, rodents also find them appealing!
After losing tubers to hungry visitors, we changed our storage method. Now we hang our stored dahlias from the ceiling to help keep them away from those unwanted dinner guests! 😂🐭
🌡️ Winter storage and maintenance
Once the tubers have dried, they're put away for the winter in our cellar.
Dahlia tubers need to be kept cool, above freezing, and protected from excessive moisture or drying out.
But the work doesn't completely stop there!
Throughout the winter, I periodically check on them to make sure they're still healthy.
If I notice they're beginning to shrivel or dry out too much, I give the storage material a very light spritz of moisture. Just enough to help maintain humidity without leaving the tubers wet.
Too much moisture can cause rot, while too little can cause them to shrivel.
It's all about finding that balance!
🌸 And that's how we save our dahlias for another growing season!
It might seem like a lot of work, but when spring rolls around and those tubers begin producing new growth, it's worth every bit of effort!
One season ends, and we're already preparing for the next. That's the life of a flower grower! 🌿💕
Crisp Country Gardens 🌸
