2025 - Winter Care

It seems like every season goes by quicker and quicker, but 2025 was a great year on the farm. We were able to plant on time, and our blooming season was beautiful for our visitors in August & September for our Annual Dahlia Festival. Our gorgeous summer weather provided perfect growing conditions for the dahlias. We experienced a warm summer, with only a few days of rain.
Each year, we hear from customers about their disappointment with late or absent blooms. The paucity of bloom can result from multiple factors, such as late planting or unpredictable weather. It can also be related to a lack of deep watering and fertilizing. Remember, once your dahlias have sprouted above the ground, they need DEEP watering 3-4 times a week (45-60+ minutes with a sprinkler or soaker hose) to thrive in the ground, and daily watering if you are growing them in a container. Dahlias cannot thrive without enough water and fertilizer.
As for winter care, we recommend waiting to dig your dahlias until 2 weeks after a hard frost or November 15th, whichever comes first. Many believe that 120 days from planting to digging is sufficient. However, based on our experience, we recommend waiting longer, as many dinnerplates begin to bloom at 120 days and are not ready to be dug at that point. If the weather allows and you aren’t risking your tubers freezing, it is best to wait until after the 120-day mark to dig, so the tubers have plenty of time to harden off and finish growing before you dig. Most tuber growth happens in the last 1/3 of the blooming season. Unfortunately, if you dig too early, the tubers are in a “green stage”. They will not store properly because the skins on the tubers haven’t had time to thicken, resulting in severely dehydrated tubers or potential complete loss. We dig from November to January, so there is no rush to get them out of the ground unless weather conditions threaten your dahlias.
If you live in a milder climate where your ground doesn't freeze 4" deep and you don't have too soggy soil in the winter, then you might consider storing/leaving your dahlias in the ground over the winter. Be sure you are not leaving any exposed, open hollow stalks to fill with water over the winter, as the water will run down the stalk and most likely cause the tubers to rot. Be sure to cover the area with plastic to keep the excess moisture off the tubers. We recommend adding a layer of hay, straw, dirt, leaves, or other material to hold the plastic in place, as this will provide insulation. Think of this extra layer as a "blanket." If a cold snap hits your area, you will have an added layer of protection for your dahlias. This layer should be removed in the spring, usually in April, as temperatures warm up, depending on your climate. Dahlias that have been left in the ground can be dug in the spring and transplanted to a new location, and even divided and replanted once you see the new sprouts appearing above the ground. Just be sure to pinch the new sprouts back to 1-2" when you replant the tubers, as they will need to restart their growth and push through the soil to have strong starts to be able to hold up their plants once you have disrupted the initial development.