Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Storing Dahlia Tubers Is Worth the Effort
- The Best Time to Dig Your Tubers
- How to Dig Up Your Dahlias Safely
- Preparing Tubers for Newspaper Storage
- Step-by-Step: Storing Dahlia Tubers in Newspaper
- Finding the Perfect Storage Location
- Winter Maintenance and Care
- When to Bring Dahlias Out of Storage
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Dahlias are the stars of the late-summer garden, offering a spectacular array of colors and shapes that keep our landscapes vibrant well into the fall. Many gardeners find that once they grow their first dinnerplate dahlias or delicate pompon variety, they want to keep those specific plants year after year. Since these beautiful plants are tender perennials, they need a little extra care to survive the winter in most parts of the United States.
At Longfield Gardens, we want to help you enjoy your favorite flowers for many seasons to come, and our dahlia collections are a wonderful way to grow your collection and save money. Storing your dahlia tubers over the winter is a wonderful way to grow your collection and save money. It allows you to preserve the exact varieties you love, ensuring your garden returns even stronger the following spring.
This guide is designed for any gardener who wants a simple, effective way to overwinter their plants. For a closer look at tuber structure, see Dahlia Tubers: What You Need to Know. We will focus on the traditional newspaper method, which is one of the most accessible and successful ways to keep tubers healthy. You will learn how to dig, clean, wrap, and store your dahlias so they stay plump and ready for spring planting.
Storing dahlia tubers in newspaper is a reliable, budget-friendly technique that helps maintain the perfect moisture balance for a successful spring garden.
Why Storing Dahlia Tubers Is Worth the Effort
Dahlias grow from tubers, which are thickened underground parts of the stem that store energy and nutrients. Think of them as a natural "battery pack" for the plant. While dahlias are perennials, they are only hardy in warmer climates, typically USDA zones 8 through 11. For a broader overview of dahlia types, timing, and care, see All About Dahlias. In cooler regions, the freezing temperatures of winter will cause the tubers to turn to mush if they stay in the ground.
By digging them up and storing them, you are simply helping the plant go through its natural period of dormancy. Dormancy is a deep sleep that plants enter to survive cold weather or drought. When you store your tubers correctly, you protect that stored energy so the plant can sprout with vigor when the soil warms up again.
The newspaper method is a favorite among many experienced growers because it strikes a great balance. It is breathable enough to prevent the tubers from rotting, but it also provides enough of a barrier to keep them from drying out completely. For a different bloom form, browse our PomPon Dahlia collection. It is a practical solution that uses materials you likely already have at home.
The Best Time to Dig Your Tubers
Timing is everything when it comes to a successful harvest. You want to give your dahlias as much time as possible to store energy, but you must get them out of the ground before a deep freeze hits.
Waiting for the Frost
In most areas, the signal to start the process is the first killing frost. You will notice your dahlia plants look beautiful one day, and after a cold night, the foliage turns black or dark brown. This might look a bit sad, but it is actually a good sign for the tubers. This cold snap tells the plant to move all its remaining energy down into the tubers for the winter.
The Curing Period
After the foliage turns black, we recommend cutting the stems back to about 4 to 6 inches above the soil line. Many gardeners find it helpful to wait about a week or two before actually digging the tubers out of the ground. During this short wait, the "eyes" (the small bumps where next year’s stems will grow) become more visible, and the skin of the tubers begins to toughen up. This process is called curing, and it makes the tubers much more durable for storage.
Key Takeaway: Let the first frost be your guide. Cut the stalks, wait a few days for the tubers to toughen up, and then you are ready to dig.
How to Dig Up Your Dahlias Safely
Dahlia tubers are surprisingly fragile, especially the "neck" where the tuber connects to the main stem. If this neck breaks, the tuber may not be able to grow a new plant next year. Taking your time during the digging process is the best way to ensure success.
Using the Right Tools
A garden fork (sometimes called a pitchfork) is generally better than a shovel for this job. The tines of a fork allow you to loosen the soil without accidentally slicing through the tubers as easily as a solid shovel blade might.
The Digging Process
Start by digging a circle around the plant, at least 12 inches away from the main stem. This ensures you aren't hitting the tubers directly. Gently lift the soil from all sides to loosen the entire clump. Once the soil is loose, you can reach under the clump and lift it upward.
Avoid pulling the clump out by the stem. While the stem looks like a convenient handle, it is often brittle and can break away, damaging the crown of the tubers. Instead, use your hands or the fork to lift from underneath the root mass.
What to Do Next
- Shake off the large chunks of loose soil.
- Check each clump for a label or tag so you don't forget which variety is which.
- Turn the clumps upside down for an hour or two to let any water drain out of the hollow stems.
Preparing Tubers for Newspaper Storage
Once the tubers are out of the ground, they need a bit of cleaning and drying before they are ready for their newspaper wraps. This preparation prevents soil-borne diseases and mold from following your plants into storage. For more season-long care, see How to Care for Dahlia Bulbs for a Stunning Garden.
To Wash or Not to Wash?
There are two main schools of thought here. Some gardeners prefer to wash all the soil off with a gentle stream of water from a garden hose. This makes it very easy to see the "eyes" and check for any damage.
Other gardeners prefer to let the soil dry and then gently brush it off. This "dry" method is often better if you have very sandy soil. If you have heavy clay soil, washing is usually the easier path. Whichever you choose, the goal is the same: get the tubers clean enough to inspect them.
Trimming and Inspecting
After cleaning, use a pair of clean garden snips to trim away the tiny, hair-like feeder roots. These roots aren't needed during dormancy and can often lead to mold if they stay attached.
Check the tubers for any soft spots, holes from insects, or signs of rot. If you find a tuber that feels like a sponge or has a foul smell, it is best to remove it from the clump and discard it. You only want to store the firm, healthy-looking pieces.
The Final Dry
Before wrapping, your tubers need to be dry to the touch. Lay them out in a cool, shaded area (like a garage or a covered porch) for 24 to 48 hours. Do not dry them in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to shrivel. They should feel like a potato—firm and dry on the outside, but still heavy with moisture on the inside.
What to do next:
- Rinse or brush off excess soil from the clumps.
- Trim away long, stringy roots and the "mother" tuber if it looks spent.
- Let the clumps air dry in a cool spot for a day or two.
- Label each clump immediately with a permanent marker or a tied tag.
Step-by-Step: Storing Dahlia Tubers in Newspaper
Now that your tubers are clean and dry, it is time for the main event. Using newspaper is a classic technique because it is an excellent insulator and moisture regulator. If you want a big display next season, bulk dinnerplate dahlias are a convenient way to build out the garden.
Why Newspaper Works
Newspaper is made of wood pulp, which makes it naturally breathable. If a tuber releases a little bit of moisture (which is normal), the newspaper absorbs it so the moisture doesn't sit on the surface of the tuber and cause rot. At the same time, the layers of paper create a small microclimate that prevents the air from pulling too much moisture out of the tuber.
Wrapping Individual Tubers
If you have divided your dahlia clumps into individual tubers, wrapping them one by one is the gold standard for success.
- Select your paper: Use standard black-and-white newsprint. Avoid the glossy, colorful advertisements or magazine pages, as these are coated in plastic or wax and do not breathe well.
- The wrap: Place a single tuber on a sheet of newspaper and roll it up like a burrito. You want about two to three layers of paper around each tuber.
- The tuck: Fold the ends of the paper over to keep the tuber snug inside. You don't need tape; the weight of the other tubers in the box will hold the paper in place.
Wrapping Whole Clumps
If you prefer not to divide your dahlias in the fall, you can wrap the entire clump.
- Use multiple sheets: Use several sheets of newspaper to cover the entire mass of tubers.
- Cushion the center: Stuff some crumpled newspaper into the center of the clump where the tubers meet the stem. This area is the most prone to holding moisture and rotting.
- Wrap like a gift: Wrap the paper around the outside and secure it loosely.
Organizing Your Storage Box
Once wrapped, place your newspaper "packages" into a sturdy container. Cardboard boxes, wooden crates, or plastic bins with the lids left slightly ajar all work well.
If you use a plastic bin, it is very important not to seal the lid completely. Some air circulation is necessary to prevent "sweating," which leads to rot. We recommend stacking the wrapped tubers no more than two or three layers deep to avoid crushing the ones at the bottom.
Finding the Perfect Storage Location
The environment where you keep your boxes is just as important as how you wrap the tubers. Dahlias are quite specific about the temperatures they like during their winter nap.
The Ideal Temperature
The "sweet spot" for dahlia storage is between 40°F and 45°F. This is cold enough to keep the plants dormant, but well above the freezing point.
- Too Cold: If the temperature drops below 32°F, the water inside the tubers will freeze, destroying the cell walls and killing the plant.
- Too Warm: If the temperature stays above 50°F, the tubers may think it is spring and start to sprout prematurely, or they may simply dry out and shrivel.
Common Storage Spots
Many gardeners find success in an unheated basement, a root cellar, or a crawl space. If you need to confirm your zone, check the Hardiness Zone Map. An attached garage can also work, but you must be careful that it doesn't get too cold during the darkest days of winter. If you are worried about the temperature, placing your boxes on an interior wall of the garage or wrapping the entire box in an old blanket can provide extra insulation.
Monitoring Humidity
Ideally, the storage area should have moderate humidity. If the air is very dry (like in a room with a furnace), the newspaper might dry out too much. If the air is very damp, you may need to check the paper more often to ensure it isn't getting soggy.
Winter Maintenance and Care
Storing your dahlias isn't a "set it and forget it" task. A quick check once a month can make a huge difference in how many plants survive until spring.
The Monthly Check-In
Once a month, open your storage boxes and peek inside a few of the newspaper wraps. You are looking for two things: shriveling and rot.
- Checking for Rot: If you find a tuber that has turned black, soft, or fuzzy with mold, remove it immediately. One rotting tuber can spread moisture and bacteria to its neighbors. The newspaper usually does a great job of containing this, but it is better to be safe.
- Checking for Shriveling: If the tubers feel light and look wrinkled like a raisin, they are losing too much moisture. You can fix this by lightly misting the newspaper with a spray bottle of water. You don't want the paper to be wet—just slightly damp to the touch.
Dealing with "Early Risers"
As spring approaches and temperatures naturally start to rise, you might see small green sprouts emerging from the newspaper. This is perfectly fine! It just means the dahlias are ready for the garden. Keep them in their cool spot as long as possible until the danger of frost has passed in your area.
Key Takeaway: A ten-minute check once a month is the best insurance policy for your dahlia collection. Catching a small issue early prevents it from becoming a big problem later.
When to Bring Dahlias Out of Storage
In the spring, you can start your dahlias indoors about four to six weeks before the last expected frost, or you can wait and plant them directly in the ground once the soil has warmed up to about 60°F. If you are ready to plant again, see When Should I Plant Dahlia Tubers?.
When you unwrap your newspaper packages, you should find tubers that are still firm and perhaps showing small sprouts or "eyes." This is the most exciting part of the process—seeing that your hard work over the winter has paid off and your favorite varieties are ready to grow again.
At Longfield Gardens, we have found that the most successful gardeners are those who keep things simple. You don't need fancy equipment or expensive chemicals to keep dahlias healthy. A few stacks of old newspaper and a cool corner of the basement are often all you need to maintain a beautiful, recurring display of blooms. If you want a ready-made mix for next season, explore the Dahlia Dinnerplate Summer Lovin Collection.
Conclusion
Storing dahlia tubers in newspaper is a time-tested method that combines simplicity with high success rates. By taking the time to dig, clean, and wrap your tubers properly, you ensure that your garden will be filled with familiar favorites year after year. It is a rewarding part of the gardening cycle that connects the end of one season to the bright potential of the next.
- Wait for the first frost before digging to ensure tubers are mature.
- Clean and air-dry tubers for 24-48 hours before wrapping.
- Use plain black-and-white newspaper for the best breathability.
- Store in a cool, dark place between 40°F and 45°F.
- Check your tubers once a month to manage moisture levels.
We encourage you to try the newspaper method this season. It is a wonderful feeling to unwrap those tubers in the spring and see the life waiting inside. If you need more variety for your collection, we invite you to explore the Dahlia Assorted Enchantment Collection to keep your garden blooming with color.
FAQ
Can I use magazine pages instead of newspaper to wrap my tubers?
It is best to avoid magazine pages or any paper with a glossy, shiny finish. These coatings prevent air and moisture from moving through the paper, which can trap gases and moisture against the tuber and lead to rot. Plain, matte newsprint is the most effective choice for storage.
Do I need to tape the newspaper shut around the tubers?
No, there is no need to use tape or rubber bands. Simply rolling the tuber in the paper and folding the ends over is sufficient. When you place the wrapped tubers in a box, their own weight and the proximity of other packages will keep the paper snugly in place.
What should I do if the newspaper feels damp during a winter check?
If the newspaper feels soggy or overly damp, it is a sign that there is too much humidity or that a tuber has started to rot. Remove the wet paper, inspect the tuber for any damage, and re-wrap it in fresh, dry newspaper. You may also want to leave the lid of your storage box open a bit more to improve air circulation.
Can I store the newspaper-wrapped tubers in the refrigerator?
While a refrigerator stays within the right temperature range, it is usually much too dry for long-term dahlia storage. Additionally, fruits and vegetables in the fridge release ethylene gas, which can damage the tubers or cause them to rot. A cool basement or garage is almost always a better choice than a kitchen refrigerator. For shipping and timing details, see Shipping Information.