Help your dahlias overwinter: this is how they survive the frost
Dahlias can handle a lot in summer. These plants, originally from Mexico, enjoy a good dose of warmth, but they hate the cold! Dahlias prefer to overwinter in a frost-free environment, and with these tips, you can help them out.
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Dahlias aren't quite hardy, but thanks to our relatively mild winters, they can often survive in the ground. Many gardeners therefore leave their dahlia tubers in the ground instead of moving them to a frost-free location. But if it threatens to get really cold, it's wise to take precautions.
Are you planning to leave the dahlia tubers in the ground? Protect them with a thick layer of mulch made from wood chips, peat-free compost, or manure. This will insulate the tubers somewhat and prevent frost damage .
Anne's tip: Bend the stems that are still attached to the bulb to prevent water from entering the hollow stems. This helps prevent rot!
Is King Winter bringing a hard freeze? Then it's best to dig up the tubers and let them overwinter in a pot. This will give your tubers a better chance of survival. Another advantage is that you can make them grow faster again in spring and create new dahlias by taking cuttings .
Dahlias can tolerate some cold, but heavy frost or a wet winter can be disastrous for their tubers. Fortunately, you can also dig up tubers and overwinter them indoors. A good rule of thumb for digging up dahlias is to do so after the first hard frost. You'll see the leaves start to turn black.
Tip! Label your tubers or the containers or pots you store them in before cutting off the flowers. This way you'll know exactly which variety you have.
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- When the leaves turn black from frost, dig up the tubers. Remove the soil from the tubers.
- Cut the plant back to a 10-centimeter stem. Check for damage or rot. Keep healthy plants.
- Place the tubers upside down in a crate or shallow box so that water can drain from the stems. This prevents the plant from rotting.
- After a week you can plant the tubers upright in a pot with slightly moist soil in a frost-free shed or garage.
You can also choose to wrap your dahlias in newspaper after drying and store them in cardboard boxes in a frost-free, dry and cool place.
These tips will help you store your dahlias well for the coming season:
- Check your dahlia tubers for signs of rot before storing them. If so, it's best to discard them.
- Dahlia tubers don't require light or water during their winter dormancy. A dark garage, basement, or shed is an ideal storage location.
Tip!
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