How to tuck your Dahlias in for winter

So, you’ve got your dahlias all dug up. Oof — that was a job, wasn’t it? Hope you remembered to label! Hauling those clumps out of the ground always sounds fun in theory… until you’re sweaty, muddy, and wondering why you planted quite so many. But good news: the hardest part is done. Now it’s time to tuck those beauties in for their long winter nap.

Here’s the thing — this part can be a little tricky. Dahlias are a bit like Goldilocks. Too dry and they shrivel. Too wet and they rot. The goal is to find that “just right” cozy spot where they can rest easy until spring.

Here’s how I do it:

• I leave my dahlias as clumps, with a bit of dirt still on them.

• Then I place them in plastic bins with peat moss. (You can also use wood shavings or perlite — all work just fine.)

• I don’t cover them completely (leave the lid off), just let them sit snug in their little bed.

The key is storage. Dahlias like it dark and cool — think cellar, basement, or any spot that stays a little damp but not wet. My cellar works perfectly. If your spot stays a little drier, you might need to mist the tubers once in awhile so they don’t shrivel.

And don’t just forget about them until spring. Check your dahlias once a month. If they look a little too dry, a light mist of water will perk them back up. If they’re rotting, pull out the bad ones before it spreads.

I’ll be honest: every year I say a little prayer over my dahlia bins when I tuck them away. The stress of waiting until spring to see if they made it is real. But the joy of pulling them out in March or April and seeing healthy tubers ready to grow again makes it worth it.

So, there you have it — a little winter bedtime routine for your dahlias. Tuck, snug, and see you in spring!