How to Care for Dahlia Tubers

Dahlias are members of the aster family; over 20,000 dahlia varieties exist. If you live within zone 8 or above on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone Map, you can leave the dahlia tuber in the soil to overwinter. Gardeners in cooler regions must dig them up and store them over the winter. Dig the tuber up after the first frost.

Ventilated box
Newspaper
Pruning shears
Fungicide
Sand

Instructions

- 1
  Line the bottom and sides of the box with newspaper.
- 2
  Cut the dahlia stem off at the tuber.
- 3
  Rinse the soil from the tuber. Don't rub the tuber as you rinse it.
- 4
  Place the tuber in a cool, dry area for three weeks or until it is completely dry.
- 5
  Apply a powdered fungicide to the tubers. Use a paintbrush to dust the powder on them until they are completely covered.
- 6
  Moisten the sand and spread a 2-inch layer on top of the newspaper in the box. The sand should be barely moist.
- 7
  Push the dahlia tubers, upside down, 1/2 inch into the sand, 1/2 inch apart.
- 8
  Cover the tubers with 2 inches of the moist sand. Close the box and allow it to remain in an area where the temperature is between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 9
  Check the tubers periodically for signs of drying. Soak shriveled tubers in a bucket of water overnight, let them dry and return them to the box.

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