When to Lift Dahlias — 3 Simple Steps a Pro-Gardener Says You Need to Take to Protect These Flowers

An expert reveals her fail-safe methods for lifting these blooms correctly before the frost

Text by Matilda Bourne

Dahlias are prolific bloomers. If you’re lucky, you may still have a few flowers clinging onto their last petals before the winter winds blow them away. But beautiful as they are, these flowers need taking care of, especially at this time of year.

Lifting and storing these blooms during the winter is the key to dahlia care. Native to the warm climates of Mexico and Guatemala, dahlias are tender plants, meaning they will not survive winter frosts. This doesn’t mean cooler climates can’t enjoy these flowers, though, as lifting dahlia tubers is a well-practiced technique for protecting the tubers before frosts hit.

But knowing how and when to lift and store your dahlia tubers is an area of expertise the pros are well-experienced in. Thankfully, they’ve shared their top tips on how to preserve your dahlia plants over the winter, and they are ready for them to be planted out next spring. Here's everything you need to know.

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