Caring for dahlias over winter

As we are now approaching winter we should start thinking about our dahlias. Ideally leave them until the first frost( when the leaves all turn black) but if you want to get your garden tidy you can do it now.

Here are some tips for caring for dahlias during winter:

Decide whether to lift or leave in the ground
Dahlias can be left in the ground if the soil is well-drained and frost doesn’t penetrate too deeply. However, in cold areas, wet ground, or heavy clay soils, it’s best to lift and store them.
Lift and store
If you decide to lift the dahlias, you can:

1. 1. Cut the stems back to about 5–12 cm from the base
   2. Use a fork to gently lift the tubers out of the soil
   3. Remove the soil from the tubers by hand
   4. Place the tubers upside down in a tray lined with newspaper to dry for a couple of weeks
   5. Store the tubers in a cool, dry, frost-free place in a tray of dry compost or horticultural sand

• Mulch
  If you leave the dahlias in the ground, you can mulch the soil with a thick layer of leaf mould, composted bark, or bracken.
• Prevent fungus
  Use a fungicide, such as powdered sulphur, to prevent root rot.
• Check on the tubers
  Periodically check on the tubers throughout the winter to make sure they haven’t dried out. If they look shrivelled, mist them with water.
• Store in the right conditions
  The storage area should be cool, dark, and humid with a temperature between 40 and 50°F. If the storage area is too moist, the tubers may become mushy.
• Remember to label all tubers so you remember your varieties that you have.

Now is also a good time to look at your plant catalogues to identify the varieties you want for next year . Most good reliable nurseries / growers will not send out or have available until early next year.