Do You Have to Dig Your Dahlias?

One of the most common questions I get is

Do you have to dig your dahlias?

The answer is, it depends.

Here at Pink Sky Flowers, in zone 6b/7a, I always dig my dahlia tubers in the fall and store them over the winter. Every year I’m amazed at how much they multiply. One small tuber planted in May turns into a clump of 4 to 20 tubers by the end of the season. On average, I usually get 6 or 7.

But there are definitely situations where you may not need to dig, or may choose not to.

If you live in zone 8 or warmer, dahlias will typically overwinter just fine in the ground and sprout again in the spring. Even here in my zone, I’ve had dahlias survive the winter some years, especially when we’ve had milder temperatures or consistent snow cover. Some gardeners experiment with protecting their tubers in the ground by adding a thick layer of mulch or compost, or even evergreen branches. Others go a step further and cover their beds with tarps to help insulate them.

You might also decide to grow your dahlias as annuals. You can think of it the same way as a hanging basket. It’s something you enjoy for the season without worrying about saving it. You can absolutely grow dahlias this way, guilt free.

But if you want to be sure your dahlias come back, and you live in growing zone 7 or colder, digging and storing is the most reliable option.

I store mine in plastic bins with vermiculite on an inner wall of my garage, where it stays cool but doesn’t freeze.

There are many ways to store tubers, but the most important part is remembering to dig them in the first place.

In my area, I usually start digging after the first hard frost, when the foliage turns black. This is typically mid to late October. My goal is to have everything dug by Thanksgiving.

If you think you might want to save your tubers, it’s worth putting a reminder on your calendar now so it doesn’t sneak up on you later.

I also have a short video that shows my process if you’d like to see it step by step.

Watch the digging video HERE.