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

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

Essential Gardening Jobs for Mid Summer

Gardening Projects for October

---

How to care for your Greenhouse

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to: New orchids from old

How to plant through weed-suppressing membrane

Latest Gardening Videos

---

How to Take Care of Spring Flowering Bulbs

Planting a Spring Flowering Container

Digging Up Sweet Potatoes

How do I treat liverwort?

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

Growing Geraniums

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Butchart Gardens
British Columbia, Canada

Eram Garden
Shiraz, Iran

Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan, Egypt

Vallarta Botanical Garden
Vallarta, Mexico

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Tokyo, Japan

Monet's Garden, Giverny
Giverny, France