Home > Projects >

How to lift Dahlias

You will need: Fork, Secateurs, Box, Compost

Dahlias are wonderful value, producing flowers throughout the summer and giving height to the border. There are many sizes, flower forms and a huge range of colours to choose from. In milder areas, they can be left in the border all year, but in colder areas, or as a precaution to make sure you keep a variety you particularly like, they can be lifted and stored.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

In autumn, as the foliage begins to turn yellow and die down, lift the plant carefully, making sure you do not damage the root tubers.

Step 2

Cut the top growth down to about 15cm using clean, sharp secateurs.

Step 3

Turn the plant upside down and allow any remaining sap to drain from the cut stems. Leaving it in can result in rotting during storage.

Step 4

Lay the dry tuber in a box and pack compost around it. You can pack several tubers together, but make sure you label them so you know which is which. Store the box in a dark, frost-free place over the winter ready to plant out again next April/May.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Hosepipe Bans Continue Across Southern England

Autumn Estate Tractor and Trailer Tours launched at Blenheim Palace

Give the Gift of Nourishment to Garden Birds This Christmas With Peckish and Gardman

Essential Gardening Jobs for Late Summer

Gardening Projects for December

---

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to Protect Containers

How to Propagate Mistletoe

How to Make a Bird Feeder

Latest Gardening Videos

---

How to Grow Orchids

How should I overwinter a potted Canna lily?

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

How do I protect container plants from the cold?

Why are there brown / black marks on my Hellebores?

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Tokyo, Japan

Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan, Egypt

Powerscourt Gardens
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Gardens of Versailles
Versailles, France

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA