How to Winterizing Dahlias

Our Club members Ray and Karen Holich are growers of many types of Dahlias.  Remember they shared their photos with us through August to our Des Plaines Garden Club facebook and websilte. At our September meeting on 9-9-2021 Ray presented the tips and how to winterize Dahlias

Dahlias are tender annuals, but you can overwinter them pretty easily.

In the Fall after the first frost has blackened the foliage, 

1)  Cut them down to about 1 ft. tall.

2) Cover cut area of the Dahlias with aluminum foil.

3) Two weeks later - carefully dig up the Dahlia tubers without damaging them.

Allow tubers to dry for 3-4 days in a frost-free location, out of direct sunlight. Once dried, remove any excess soil

Label the tubes by writing the name on them, (Use a bl

4)  Dividing in the fall is better than in the spring.  Paint or brush sulfur on the cut/wound.

5)  Store tubers in a Styrofoam box.  Layer tubers in the box with wood chips (animal bedding) in between each layer.  Store over winter in a cool dry area that is 40-45 degree temperature.

6)  Check monthly to make sure they are staying dry and not rotting.  If any start to rot, trim the rotted portion f