Should you dig up dahlias before winter?

Dahlias are beautiful, large, and colorful flowers. Unfortunately, they aren’t very hardy in our country. So it’s best to dig up your dahlias before winter. The combination of cold and damp conditions, in particular, can cause them to die off. And as it happens, our winters tend to be very wet…

Should I leave the dahlias in the ground after all?

Some people have been successfully overwintering their dahlias in the garden for years. You can really only try this if there is a A very sheltered spot with very well-drained soil. Things are also going better along the coast than in the eastern part of the country. It helps to cover your dahlias well with a thick layer of mulch.

Are you unsure whether your dahlias are in a sufficiently sheltered spot, or do you live further inland?

Dig up your dahlias every winter!

When should dahlias be dug up?

Dahlia plants are often dug up before winter. However, this is not recommended. Not only will you miss out on enjoying the beautiful flowers (which continue to bloom until the first frost), but dahlias actually benefit from a light frost. The foliage changes color noticeably. The cold causes the dahlia to stop growing, making it easier to remove from the ground without too much trouble. So, it’s best not to dig up dahlias before the first frost, but after it.

Immediately After the first frost, dig up your dahlias. You'll notice that the leaf is a different color or has shriveled.

How do you dig up dahlias?

Cut the stems back to about 20–30 cm above the ground. Carefully dig up the rhizomes.

Remove any excess soil from the rhizomes and clean them. You can brush the soil off, for example. Then let the dahlias dry, for example in a container lined with old newspapers or on a bed of sand.

Leave enough space between the rhizomes so they can't spread fungus or other problems to each other. Don't forget to label the different varieties clearly so you can recognize them later.

How do you store dahlias in the winter?

Once the dahlias have dried sufficiently (usually a few days), you can move them to their winter storage spot. This should ideally be a dry, cool, and dark place.

Make sure the labels are correctly matched to the right dahlia varieties. Check your dahlias a few times over the winter: Is there any mold growth?

When can you plant dahlias in the ground again?

Next spring, you can plant your favorite dahlias again. You can plant them in the ground in May (after the last frost), or earlier in a pot so you can start them off early. The latter is also a good way to better protect them from snail damage. You wouldn’t be the first to see all your new young shoots disappear…