Five reasons to lift Dahlia Tubers
Once dahlias have died down at the end of the season dahlia growers need to decide whether to dig their tubers or leave them in the ground over winter. Here in New Zealand we are quite lucky, with a good cover of mulch most dahlia tubers will survive the winter undisturbed. Dahlias should be dug and divided at least every three years to stop the tuber getting to crowded.
I’m lifting my tubers this year and here are my reasons why:
Multiply my tuber stock. This means that I can share and trade tubers with my fellow local gardeners. It also means I will hopefully have some to sell come Spring!
Above average rainfall. If I left them in the ground there would be a high chance they would rot this year.
Rejuvenate the soil. I want to plant a cover crop over the winter period to feed the soil, I cant do this with the tubers still in the ground.
Check dahlia health. I wanted to check my crop for rot and disease. This is easier to do when the tubers are out of the ground and you can inspect them while dividing.
Redesign the garden. I’m trying to acheive the perfect dahlia ombre fade. From white through to orange and pink. This is always a work in progress with new varieties being added.
Lots of people in New Zealand wait for the first frost to lift their tubers. It isn’t necessary, Dahlia’s originated in Mexico and don’t experience any frost. Dahlias are triggered by the summer Solstice to start fortifying their tubers when the nights start getting longer. If they have been in the ground for over four months the tubers should have had plenty of time to form and be ready for lifting.
Happy digging!
