How to Cover Dahlias in Winter
Gardeners living in USDA zones 9 through 11 can safely keep their dahlias in the ground throughout the winter months with little protection. Gardeners living in USDA zone 8 can also keep their dahlias in the soil; however, they must cover the tender tubers with a thick layer of mulch. Gardeners living in colder regions must remove their dahlia tubers from the soil in the autumn to protect them from frigid temperatures. When you must cover dahlias in winter, make sure you protect them adequately to ensure viable plants the following spring.
Cut back the dahlias after the first killing frost of the autumn. Use the pruning shears to cut back all plant foliage to just beneath the soil level. Discard the plant foliage.
- Gardeners living in USDA zones 9 through 11 can safely keep their dahlias in the ground throughout the winter months with little protection.
Cover the entire dahlia growing area with the plastic sheeting. Secure the sheeting over the planting area with large rocks or bricks to hold it in place. The plastic will keep excess moisture from saturating the tubers.
Place 2 to 3 inches of mulch directly over the plastic sheeting to insulate the tubers.
Remove the mulch and the plastic sheeting in early spring to allow the tubers to break dormancy. Do not leave the mulch and plastic over the dahlias as the weather begins to warm because you may kill the tubers with excess heat.
Care For Dahlias In The Winter
Strip the remaining buds and flowers off the dahlia plants in late fall when growth slows and becomes sparse. Slide the shovel blade beneath one clump of dahlia tubers, and lift the clump out of the ground, taking care not to break the roots. Remove other dahlia clumps in the same way. Dahlias produce tubers that radiate outward from the central crown, similar to the arms on a starfish. Cut each tuber free, leaving a small portion of the crown attached, by using a clean knife. A bud forms as a raised bump. An option is to combine equal parts of powdered sulfur and dry sand to create your own fungicide. Inspect the tubers monthly, and dispose of all tubers that begin to shrivel or rot. Replant the dahlia tubers in spring when all danger of frost passes.
- Cover the entire dahlia growing area with the plastic sheeting.
- Replant the dahlia tubers in spring when all danger of frost passes.
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Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.
