How to Divide Dahlia Tubers in Spring or Fall Confidently

Learn how to divide dahlia tubers in spring or fall. No matter what the season, you will be able to divide your dahlias with confidence after reading this post. I’ve been growing dahlias for over 25 years, and have three different dahlia gardens around my house, located in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b. Can you tell I’m a huge fan? Dahlias are terrific, low-maintenance, summer-blooming flowers. They are also budget-friendly because you can divide them to get more each year. If you have too many for your garden, you can share your dahlia tuber bounty with others by splitting dahlia tubers. Some people are not sure what to look for when dividing dahlias. How do you separate dahlia tubers? When is the best time to divide dahlias? Do you have to divide dahlia tubers? What happens if you don’t divide dahlia tubers? Read on to get the simple tips and have your questions answered in this comprehensive guide! 

How to divide dahlias with confidence pinterest image


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Table of Contents

Are They Called Dahlia Tubers or Dahlia Bulbs?

Have you been wondering how to split dahlia bulbs, and not having much success with your search? It might be because dahlias actually grow from tubers. If you type in “separating dahlia bulbs” the results will be different than if you type in “separating dahlia tubers”. What’s the difference? Dahlia tubers look a little like sweet potatoes, but are brown instead of orange. Dahlia tubers can be different sizes, and if you scroll down a bit, you will see pictures of them. They are definitely shaped differently than bulbs.

When Should I Divide my Dahlia Tubers?

If you are learning how to divide dahlia tubers, the first decision you need to make is when to divide dahlia tubers. Some gardeners divide their dahlias in the fall before storing the tubers away for the winter. Some people divide dahlias in the spring. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Advantages of Dividing Dahlia Tubers in the Spring

Can you divide dahlia tubers in the spring?

Can you split dahlia tubers? I prefer to divide dahlias in the spring, although I have divided them in the fall as well. Here is the main reason dividing dahlias in the spring works for me: I can spot the dahlia eyes more easily. When dividing dahlia tubers, it’s important to look for an “eye” or a little place where a nub or sprout is growing. If you wait until the spring to divide, the eyes will usually be obvious. There may be a sprout already growing. I am always relieved when I can tell for sure there is an obvious eye on the tuber.

Another advantage to dividing dahlias in spring is that the tubers are drier than when they are freshly dug up from the ground. If I am splitting dahlias and have some to give away, I can write on them more easily with an ink pencil than in the fall when they are wet. In our damp climate, dahlia tubers take a long time to dry out, so when separating dahlia tubers in spring, they have had a chance to dry out for months in our garage.

Disadvantages of Dividing Dahlia Tubers in the Spring

Sometimes dividing dahlia tubers in the spring takes more muscle power. If the dahlias are in a large clump, dividing can be tricky. Learning how to divide a clump of dahlia tubers in the spring isn’t difficult. You just need the right tools. If you want to know about dividing and planting dahlia tubers in the spring, here’s what you need to know.

How to Divide and Plant Dahlia Tubers in the Spring

What to do with Dahlia Tubers in Spring

When spring rolls around, it’s time once again to remove the dahlias from storage and take stock of what survived. If all has gone well, you’ll be able to increase your dahlia tuber supply if you divide in the spring. Remember those tubers you marked back in the fall? It’s time to see if the labels are still readable after a winter in storage.

Removing Dahlia Tubers From Storage

Just as in the fall, the spring weather where I live is often cold and rainy. I am not deterred! Even though the weather sometimes isn’t great for planting dahlias, I can still use the time to inspect the dahlias we have had stored in our garage.

How to divide dahlia tubers labeled with tape in wood shavings
This eye has sprouted. I need to get these planted right away!

So far wood shavings have worked well for us. We have a lot of them around due to woodworking projects, so it’s an economical choice. Maybe we will use vermiculite if we are ever short of wood shavings.

Location, Location, Location

As far as a location to store the dahlia tubers, the garage seemed to work well. In the past, we have stored dahlia tubers in the garden shed, but they froze. We also leave a few in the ground, taking our chances with rot. So far, we’ve been lucky. Our Pacific Northwest temperate rain forest climate has not been too harsh the past few winters. According to the garden zone map on the Arbor Day Foundation website I reside in gardening zone 8. The coldest winter temperatures can range from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unpacking the Portable Dahlia Storage Boxes

This year, I have something new to make unboxing dahlias go even better. Portable, custom-made dahlia boxes! These versatile, handy dahlia storage crates were designed and constructed out of simple materials.

dividing dahlias in spring dahlia boxes in the garage

They can be stacked in your garage (or wherever you store your dahlia tubers) if you are short on space. Stack them with their custom-made lids or use wooden slats when you stack them for more ventilation. Due to the mesh-covered holes on the sides of the boxes, the tubers did not rot. It was easy to unpack the dahlia tubers when the crates were set out near the dahlia bed.

dividing dahlias in spring unpacking dahlia boxes near the dahlia bed

Tools for Dividing When You Are Learning How to Separate Dahlia Tubers

I am the kind of person who likes to use what is on hand rather than going out to buy something  won’t use very often. The tool I like to use for splitting dahlia tubers (other than my hands, of course) is my trusty pair of pruning shears by Felco.

We use these for trimming roses and cutting flowers for bouquets. When dividing dahlia tubers, the shears snip through the connections between tubers quite easily.

How to divide dahlia tubers with pruning shears
The arrow is pointing at the eye, and the pruning shears are the perfect tool for snipping through the thick dahlia stalk.

 

Common Questions About Dividing Dahlias in the Spring

What does a dahlia tuber eye look like?

A dahlia tuber eye, where the dahlia sprouts will grow, looks like a little white or pink bump. In some ways the eyes look similar to the little bumps on a potato that has gotten old. If you look closely at the photo above, you will see the arrow pointing to the eye on the tuber.

How do you split large dahlia tubers? How do you divide big dahlia tubers easily?

Sometimes, the clump of dahlia tubers is too dense and thick to cut through easily with the pruning shears. Learn how to divide difficult dahlia tubers the easy way. It’s all in the tools you use. When I have to deal with difficult dahlia tubers, I turn to our little pruning saw. The one we have is collapsible and has a safety lock, like this one.

The serrated edge cuts right through dense clumps of tubers, and it’s also handy for cutting small pieces of wood when camping. If dividing dahlia tubers with a pruning saw seems harsh to you, I agree. The first time I tried it, I cringed. However, I do not have a lot of upper body strength, and none of the other, gentler methods of dividing the large tuber bundles was effective. You don’t need to saw all the way through the bundle. Once you get part way through, you can usually grab the two sides of the bundle and pry it apart. The tubers separate quite nicely once they are helped along a bit with the saw blade. This is what dividing a large tuber bundle with a pruning saw looks like.

dividing dahlias in spring with a hand pruning saw

Now you know how to split dahlia tubers, especially the large clumps, with ease. The next step, now that you know how to divide dahlias in spring, is planting dahlia tubers in spring. For more details about that, go to this post all about planting dahlias.

What happens if you don’t divide dahlias?

Maybe you are thinking that dividing dahlia tubers in spring is going to be a hassle. It does take some time, but if you don’t divide dahlias periodically, several things can happen:

Overcrowding: Dahlias are known for their vigorous growth, and when left undivided for several years, they can become overcrowded. Overcrowded clumps may lead to reduced air circulation, increased competition for nutrients, and a higher risk of diseases.

Decreased Flowering: Overcrowded dahlias may produce fewer flowers. The competition for resources can limit the development of healthy blooms and may result in smaller or fewer flowers.

Reduced Tuber Size: Dahlias produce tubers as storage organs, and overcrowding can lead to smaller individual tubers. Smaller tubers may result in weaker plants the following growing season.

Disease Risk: Over time, the risk of diseases, especially tuber diseases, increases in crowded dahlia clumps. Good air circulation is essential for preventing conditions favorable to diseases.

Weakened Plants: Dahlias are perennial plants, and as they continue to grow without division, the overall health and vigor of the plants may decline. Weakened plants may be more susceptible to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.

Marking What You Divide

To keep track of the dahlia tubers when dividing, have an ink pencil on hand. The gardening friend I previously mentioned recently gave us some tubers he had divided. He very considerately wrote on each one the name of the variety. This method works best on tubers that have a dry surface, not tubers that have just been dug up out of the ground.

How to divide dahlia tubers with labeling
A nicely-labeled tuber with the eyes visible on the end

 

If you need to write on a divided dahlia tuber, an ink pencil is the tool you need. Here I have my ink pencils at the ready, along with my well-used garden planner notebook.

dividing dahlia tubers garden planner notebook and ink pencil

My friend also provided us with a descriptive list including colors and height. He is very thorough, and we are so grateful to be the beneficiaries of his generosity. Our friend had just a few dahlias to divide, but some people, if they have a large quantity of dahlias, give each variety a number. When marking the tubers, the number is written instead of the variety name to save time.

How to divide dahlia tubers spot the eye
Can you spot the eye on this tuber before looking down at the next photo?

How to Divide dahlia tubers eye identified

Ready to Plant

Once your dahlia tubers are divided and you have decided which you are going to keep or give away, you’re ready to plant them. In my detailed post about planting dahlias, I provide a step-by-step guide to this process. Should dahlia tubers be soaked before planting? Find out in the guide to planting dahlias. One great thing I learned recently is if you mix used coffee grounds in with the soil, slugs are deterred from eating the dahlia leaves. Yes! Anything to deter the slugs around here is a bonus. If you have a coffee drinker in your house, you have a ready supply of grounds. No coffee drinkers where you live? Good news! Starbucks has a free coffee grounds for gardeners program you can take advantage of. Not all stores participate, so check with your local shop to see if they offer this freebie to the community.

How to Divide Dahlia Tubers with Confidence Pinterest Image

Advantages of Dividing Dahlia Tubers in the Fall

One big advantage to dividing dahlia tubers in the fall is the clumps of tubers are soft and pliable. They come apart easily. If you get a good grip on the stalks where they emerge from the tubers, you can sometimes pull the tuber clumps apart with minimal effort. Sometimes the tubers separate with no effort at all. So, why wouldn’t everyone divide dahlia tubers in the fall if it’s so easy? Well, there is another side to the story.

Disadvantages of Dividing Dahlia Tubers in the Fall

Where I live, fall is often cold and rainy. By the time I get around to digging up the tubers, the ground is usually muddy. The dahlia tubers are wet, messy, and tough to label. We usually have to set our tubers in a dry spot, like the garage, on newspaper to dry. If none of these things bother you, then you may want to divide your dahlia tubers in the fall.

How to Dig, Divide, and Store Dahlias in the Fall

You may be reading this post in the fall because you are dividing your dahlia tubers in the fall instead of the spring. In that case, you may want to know how to dig, divide, label, and store your dahlias for the winter.

When do you dig up dahlias?

When your dahlias look like the picture below, it’s time to dig them up. Another good guide is to determine if the tubers have been in the ground for at least 120 days. If so, then you are okay to dig. I always tell myself that I will make notes about each dahlia before they get to this point. I would like to write down the characteristics of each bloom, whether it’s good for cutting, and whether I need to give some of the tubers away. Now that I have a handy garden planner notebook, I might just get this done!

dead dahlia stalks

Cutting the Stalks of the Dahlias

The dahlia stalks in the picture above look pretty sad, don’t they? Just the week before, I had made some lovely cut flower arrangements. Suddenly, we had a cold snap and bam! The dahlias were done. To cut the dahlia stalks, I have to use a heavier tool than a hand pruner. Some of the stalks are as big around as a silver dollar. For heavier cutting, I use some loppers, like this pair.

When I lop off the stalks, I leave a few inches of the stalk, or stalks, above the ground. That way, I have something to tie the labeling tape onto. Before labeling, I have to get those tubers out of the ground. Most years, the day that I dig the dahlia tubers is wet and soggy. This year, the weather was gorgeous.

sunny wheelbarrow

Digging Up the Tubers

Once the stalks are cut off, I use a large round shovel to dig around the plant. I try to stay at least one foot away from the stalk so I don’t accidentally slice into a tuber. When the soil is loosened, I use the stalk to lift the mass of tubers slightly, then I place my hands down in the dirt to lift the bundle of tubers out of the dirt. I set the tuber bundle beside the hole and fill it in. When I have all of the dahlia tubers dug up, I refer to my garden planner notebook for labeling the tubers. If you would like your own garden planner pages for free, see the offer at the end of the post.

Labeling the Dahlia Tubers

Since the tubers are covered in dirt, I can’t write on them. I have to tie something around the stalks to label them and keep them in order. I like to use pink flagging tape. It’s easy to cut or tear, and I can write on it with a permanent marker.

Here is one of the plants after labeling. I can clearly see which dahlia it is, so there will be no confusion.

labeled dahlia tuber wit pink tape

My favorite pen to use for marking is a handy one for gardeners. It’s a retractable Sharpie marker, and it’s a great thing to have when my hands are grubby. I don’t want to be messing around with capping and uncapping a pen, so this works really well. I can store it in the pocket of my jacket without worrying about it marking anything.

Some people prefer to write on the dahlia tubers themselves. To do this, use an ink pencil (previously mentioned above), and make sure the dahlia tuber is free from dirt as much as possible. If your tuber has just been dug out of the ground, tying label tape around the trimmed stalks has worked better for me.

 

How Do You Separate Dahlia Tubers for Winter Storage?

When you are handling the dahlias, some of the clumps may come apart and sort of divide themselves. As long as you have a stalk coming out of each divided tuber (or tuber cluster) you know you have a viable dahlia. That’s how easy it is to divide the tubers in the fall. You just don’t have any eyes on the tubers to guide you. If some of the tuber clumps come apart, just make sure to label each dahlia so you don’t have any mysteries.

If you have a large clump of tubers you want to divide in the fall, you can use a gardening tool like a dandelion weeder to gently pry the tubers apart. In the photo below, I used this method (along with my trusty kneeling pad) adn ended up with four tubers from the one clump.

dividing dahlias in the fall with a garden tool

In the spring, I may be able to get a few more tubers from the smaller tuber clumps, but I will wait to see where the eyes appear.

Letting the Tubers Dry Out

Where I live, in the rainy Pacific Northwest, our ground is damp. The dahlias need to dry out after being dug. I take them to our garage and set them on newspaper for a few days. Once they are dry, I have a method for getting the extra dirt off without making too much of a mess.

dahlia tubers in the wheelbarrow
Loaded up and ready for transport

How Do You Get All of the Dirt Off?

To get the remaining dirt off of the dahlia tubers, I bring the wheelbarrow into the garage, put each tuber in the wheelbarrow, and brush off the dirt.  As you can see, there is a lot of dirt in this wheelbarrow. Also, this particular tuber is quite large and needs to be divided. I grabbed two of the large stalks and tried to pry apart the clump that way, but the clump didn’t separate. I’ll tackle this one in the spring when I can see where the eyes are on the tubers.

dividing large dahlia tubers

Over-Wintering Dahlias

What is the best way to store dahlia tubers? Can you store dahlia tubers in sawdust? We usually do store our tubers in sawdust or wood shavings, since we have a good supply from projects. One of our friends, an avid dahlia-lover, assures us that packing the dahlias in vermiculite is the best way to over-winter the tubers.

Dahlia Storage Boxes

This past winter, my husband constructed some amazing, stackable dahlia storage boxes. As you can see in the photo below, the boxes have ventilation holes. To keep packing material from escaping, a piece of thin wire mesh is attached to the inside of each side of the box. Genius!

dividing dahlias in spring unpacking dahlia boxes near the dahlia bed

Whatever packing method you choose, make sure you find a spot that’s not too cold. We stored our tubers in our garden shed one winter and lost them all, due to cold temperatures. Now we store our tubers in boxes in the garage. If you have a favorite way to over-winter dahlias, I’d sure appreciate knowing about it. It’s interesting to learn about the strategies of different gardeners.

Common Questions About Dividing and Storing Dahlia Tubers in the Fall

Can you divide and replant dahlias in the fall?

Yes, you can divide dahlias in the fall. In fact, dividing dahlias in the fall is a common practice for maintaining healthy and vigorous dahlia plants. The ideal time to divide dahlias in the fall is after the first frost has killed off the foliage but before the ground freezes. This is usually around September or October, depending on your location. Rather than replanting the dahlias in the fall, you will want to overwinter dahlias in a dry location for a variety of reasons. Storing dahlias over the winter is essential for several reasons:

Protection from Freezing Temperatures: Dahlias are not cold-hardy plants, and their tubers can be damaged or killed if exposed to freezing temperatures. Storing them indoors during the winter protects them from frost and extreme cold.

Preventing Rot and Disease: Leaving dahlia tubers in the ground during the winter can lead to rot and fungal diseases, especially in areas with cold, wet winters. By storing them indoors, you can control the temperature and humidity to minimize the risk of fungal issues.

Preserving Healthy Tubers: Storing dahlias properly allows you to keep the tubers healthy and viable for the next growing season. This helps ensure that your dahlias will produce strong, vigorous plants and abundant blooms when you replant them in the spring.

Propagation: Storing dahlias over the winter also provides an opportunity for tuber division and propagation. Dividing dahlia tubers in the fall allows you to create multiple plants from a single clump, increasing your dahlia collection and potentially sharing or trading with other gardeners.

Maintaining Varietal Identity: If you have different dahlia varieties in your garden, proper storage and labeling during the winter help you remember which varieties you have. This ensures that you can replant them correctly in the spring, preserving the unique characteristics of each dahlia.

What happens if you don’t divide dahlias?

Do you have to divide dahlia tubers? Economically, it makes sense to divide dahlias. Over the years, with repeated dividing, you can get many lovely dahlias for the price of one tuber. In addition to propagating the dahlias for your own garden, you might like to divide dahlias to have some plants to share. In my experience, the plants that grow from divided tubers are healthier. We have a row of dahlias that have not been divided. They grow in soil that is hard and rocky.  Years ago, we decided to just leave them where they are just to see what would happen. Most of them do come back every year, but they are less colorful and vigorous-looking than their counterparts which have been divided.

how to divide dahlia tubers orchard dahlia garden
These are the dahlias that do not get divided.

Should I wash dahlia tubers before storing?

It is generally not recommended to wash dahlia tubers before storing them for the winter. Dahlia tubers have a natural protective coating that helps prevent rot and fungal growth during storage. Washing the tubers can remove this protective layer, making them more susceptible to issues during the storage period.

By avoiding washing and allowing the tubers to air dry before storage, you can help ensure that your dahlia tubers remain healthy and viable throughout the winter months. Washing is generally only necessary if the tubers are seriously dirty or contaminated with soil or debris, but it should be done sparingly and with care to avoid damaging the protective skin.

Can you store dahlia tubers in unheated garage?

Yes, you can store dahlia tubers in an unheated garage, as long as you take certain precautions to ensure they are protected from freezing temperatures. Storing dahlias in an unheated garage can be a suitable option for winter storage if the garage maintains temperatures above freezing but below 50°F (10°C).

Can I store dahlia tubers in shredded paper?

Storing dahlia tubers in shredded paper can be a suitable option as long as you take certain precautions to ensure the tubers remain dry and protected from rot. Shredded paper can serve as an insulating and moisture-absorbing medium. Here’s how you can do it:

Prepare Shredded Paper: Shred newspaper or plain, uncolored paper into small pieces. Ensure that the paper is clean and dry. You can also use straw or dry leaves as an alternative to shredded paper.

Layer Tubers and Shredded Paper: Place a layer of shredded paper in the bottom of the storage container. Lay the tubers on top of this layer, leaving some space between them. Gently cover the tubers with more shredded paper, ensuring they are completely surrounded but not buried.

Can you store dahlia tubers in plastic bags?

Storing dahlia tubers in plastic bags is possible, but it comes with some considerations and potential risks. Plastic bags can trap moisture, which can lead to rot if not managed properly. If you choose to store dahlia tubers in plastic bags, here’s how to do it:

Choose Plastic Bags: Use clear, breathable, and well-ventilated plastic bags, such as zipper-seal bags with small holes or perforations. Avoid airtight or non-breathable bags, as they can trap moisture and lead to fungal issues.

Place Tubers in Bags: Group the tubers together by variety or size and place them in the plastic bags. Make sure the tubers are clean and dry before placing them in the bags.

Add Insulating Material: To help protect the tubers from extreme temperature fluctuations, you can add an insulating material such as dry wood shavings, vermiculite, or shredded newspaper to the bags. This helps maintain stable humidity levels.

Seal Bags Loosely: Seal the plastic bags loosely to allow for some airflow. This will help prevent excessive moisture buildup inside the bags.

Wondering What to Wear When Dividing Dahlias?

There is no guarantee that the weather will be nice when dividing dahlias. Whether you divide them in the spring or fall, how can you be prepared no matter what the weather holds? Get some tips about what to wear for gardening in any type of weather!

Unique Gifts for Dahlia Lovers

Looking for the perfect dahlia gift for someone? If you have a dahlia-lover in your life, here are some fun gift ideas. Show an affection for dahlias with these creative dahlia-themed gifts.

   

Dahlias: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden
Especially for those who enjoy growing these prolific summer-blooming plants. This book can help ease the off-season blues.
Kate Spade New York Foldable Reusable Shopping Tote
Use this foldable bag time and again to add a splash of color to a shopping trip. Lightweight and packable!
Pop-up Dahlia Flower Greeting Card The perfect card for a dahlia-lover on Mother’s Day or a birthday, this pop-up card is a day-brightener.
Painted Dahlias Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid This unique, pretty 30-ounce tumbler is insulated to keep a drink hot or cold for up to 24 hours.
Double Layer Inverted Dahlia Print Umbrella
Show your love of dahlias with this waterproof, windproof, UV protector umbrella with a colorful print of a dahlia bloom.

Referring Back to My Garden Planner Notebook

Last year, as a result of needing to keep track of what kind of dahlia we planted where, I decided to begin a garden planner notebook. I planned to have tasks and notes for each month. I sort of kept up with it. One thing I definitely included in the notebook was the list and description of each dahlia variety we owned at the time. Now that we have a few more varieties, thanks to our generous gardening friend, I’m going to add them to the list as well. If a garden planner notebook seems like a good idea to you, good news! I added the 16 master pages to the free resource library for subscribers to the Fluxing Well blog.

sunflower garden planner printable

Get the garden planner!

Free Online Garden Planner Layout Template

Now that you know how to divide dahlia tubers, you might need a way to plan your dahlia bed layout. This online garden planner can help you visualize your design and bring it to life. With garden tasks that need your attention, this is one way to save time.

online free garden planner template featured image templates on grass background

It’s fully customizable when you make your own copy and includes two editable chart pages for noting planting specifications.

Get my free online garden layout planner template!

What About Your Dahlia Experiences?

I hope this has helped you to learn how to divide dahlia tubers. Have you had prior dahlia experience? Do you have any advice for me? If you take the time to give me a tip, I’ll even write it down in my garden notebook. So if you have any tips or hints, please let me know.

Other Gardening Posts You Might Enjoy

Do you struggle with knowing what to plant in flower containers? Get some great flower container ideas you can use, even if you’re artistically challenged. Learn about easy-care perennials and fabulous flowering shrubs. Get some easy tips for growing fragrant old garden roses or make your own DIY pole bean tower. If you are looking for simple, low-maintenance gardening tips, I’m here for you!

Have a wonderful week, and may all of your dahlia endeavors meet with success!

First Name Signature Conclusion

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer gardeners, click on over to the Garden page.

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28 thoughts on “How to Divide Dahlia Tubers in Spring or Fall Confidently”

  1. Dahlias are so beautiful and your post is so informative, thanks for sharing how to divide dahlia tubers it is so educational for new gardeners!

    Reply
    • You are most welcome. I planted all of mine this past weekend.

      Reply
  2. Dahlias are absolutely gorgeous. Although I love them, I had no idea how to divide and plant dahlia tubers. I’m inspired to give them a try in my backyard at the new house.

    Reply
    • Oh, I hope you do. They are a great cut flower for bouquets.

      Reply
  3. These are my daughter’s favorite flowers and after seeing your beautiful photo I can understand why. I don’t think she even knows about dividing the bulbs or how to do this, so thank you.

    Reply
    • You are most welcome. I get a lot of enjoyment from the dahlias!

      Reply
  4. After they have dried I place them in a box and cover
    Them with peat and put them in the greenhouse

    Reply
    • Great idea! How nice that you have a greenhouse. Thanks for sharing the tip about using peat.

      Reply
  5. Will you send garden planner.
    Thanks

    Reply
  6. I received a dahlia as a Mother’s Day gift. It was beautiful for a while but then not so pretty. Should I have broken apart the roots before putting it in the ground?

    Reply
    • I think the ones that are blooming that are given as gifts are more like annuals. If it has a tuber, you could try planting it in the ground to see what happens. Then trim the stem, dig it up in the fall, store in vermiculite over the winter. In the spring, see if there is an eye on it and try planting it in the ground. Some dahlias, like the ones I get for summer containers, behave more like annuals. I’ll have to inspect the dahlia in my container in the fall to see if it grows from a tuber. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  7. This is a great idea to separate and spread/share them! I planted dahlia’s last year and the spread like wildfire so i dug them up. But, I can absolutely separate them and plant them and share them. Thank you for the idea and the steps on how to do it!

    Reply
    • Sure! I’m happy to share what I know. Have fun giving away your dahlia tubers!

      Reply
  8. I enjoyed your post. My mother in law would divide these often for her garden and she shared with us for our garden. Brought back memories.

    Reply
    • Oh, nice. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. My garden is filled with plants which were given to me by others. Some of those folks have passed on, and I’m so glad I have the plants to remember them by.

      Reply
  9. This is really helpful! I’m terrible at gardening.

    Reply
    • I learn a lot by trial and error, and error, and error.=)

      Reply
  10. Dahlia’s are beautiful and I had never thought about being able to divide them before!
    Something fun and new to try soon in the garden!
    Very informative post!
    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • I’m so glad when someone discovers something new because of a blog post. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  11. I’m so glad I found your blog today. I was a city girl that has now moved to the country-side with gardens that are so big, I didn’t know where to start from. The dream is to have an English Country Garden with all the glory of rich Dahlias. Thanks to your blog I now know that Dahlias tubers can be divided. I have read how to plant Dahlias now and I have bookmarked your site for later reference.

    Reply
    • Awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know. I’m glad it fit your needs.

      Reply
  12. I love dahlias but have never tried to plant them. Thank you for this so helpful and useful information! I love this combination of tips, photos, and video! You make learning really fun! 🙂

    Reply
    • Thank you! That means a lot to me. I’m glad you liked the post.

      Reply
  13. It was perfect the first time. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.

    Reply
      • Just found your brilliant email information on dahlias. Many thank’s.
        I have just lifted some dahlias to store over winter here in Dorset England. I clean them off to get the worst of the earth off and then store them inverted on plant pots in the greenhouse to drain and stay dry. The greenhouse is kept above 5C by a fan heater.The ones I leave outside in the ground I cover with bubble wrap held down with stones. This seems to work. please add me to your list of subscribers.

        Reply
        • Hi, Bob! Glad you found the post helpful. According to my list, you are already a subscriber. Thank you! I’d love to see photos of your upside down tubers and your bubble wrap method outdoors. Visuals are always helpful. Happy gardening!

          Reply

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