HOW TO STORE DAHLIAS | Part 2 | The Impatient Gardener

[@azfarsyed7082]

Real life, At the beginning to the ends of the day, End of this Earth.We need basic needs to survive, to take breath.We love your great efforts to open the ways to start 🌿,plants,

[@bluesky7226]

Yep. We've had snow and freezing weather already. It was a very short, actually non existent fall. Oh well. Thanks for the great video. I am storing mine for the first time this year. Cross fingers.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

bluesky7226 Same! I was picking dahlias a few days ago and today we had about 5 inches of snow and very cold temperatures. It was a rather unceremonious end to dahlia season.

[@bluesky7226]

@@TheImpatientGardener very frustrating. I think you got the second two-day storm we had this week. Stinky cold! Now you can really get those dahlias stored.

[@GardenObsessions]

I missed part one will be watching. The year seems to have flown by it feels like I just watched you not long ago start your garden in Spring. Have a wonderful day! 💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I know! How did summer go so fast?

[@JJ-gt2po]

The Impatient Gardener you think it’s fast now wait five or ten yrs! You’re literally running to try to get everything done! Ain’t fun, McGee! Makes you tired quick! 😂🤣

[@shariglasser7192]

I'm re-watching this today, we had our 1st hard frost on Monday, which is so early👎 so grateful for your videos, I feel like I have a master gardener friend available anytime for my questions 🙌

[@lauramarti7548]

Thank you for this easy to follow and informative video. After seeing your dahlias in your garden, I want to grow them next year. Many years ago, I grew dahlias one season, but the storing of them had me befuddled. Seeing your method made me realize it is very do able.

[@nicolabroadhurst4736]

I live in New Zealand and my favorite thing I love about dahlias is that I dont have to do anything to them.(other than deadjead) for years at a time. They perform so well every year and while they like a lift and divide from time to time they just do their thing. They also are pretty good past your last frost predictors, if they are popping up you can plant your beans and tomatoes. Yay for temperate climates.

[@marilynanderson2423]

Thanks for the video! Last year I didn’t check tubers over the winter and they were all desiccated by the spring. This year I’ve set a reminder on my calendar for the first of every month. The sales clerk at Agway told me that pine bedding works better to hold in more moisture than regular wood shavings that are sold for animal bedding. We’ll see.

[@ramibu239]

Dahlia Society website will give vitale Intel on proper ways to store including the bedding material. 4th gen grower. My grandparents & ggrandparents always used used Cedar shaving, my parents & I always used vermiculite.

[@amberlydeee5548]

“It’s winter and what else do you have to do anyways?” 😂

[@TheImpatientGardener]

"Day 95 of the hell that is winter: My to-do list today includes checking on the dahlia tubers. Also sitting on the couch being grumpy about winter."

[@sherrigagnon1162]

Thank you for this video!! My first year growing and mine are all in pots on my patio. We have had so much rain this year that I haven’t had to water them since July!! They look beautiful still while bottom watering with all the rain we got. I just hope the tubers dry out OK. I am in zone for Wasilla Alaska. So much rain this year. Fingers crossed. Waiting for the first frost still.

[@cinziadeluca5074]

Oh my goodness I am so silly. I'd never grown Dahlia's before and just a minute ago when I was weeding, I picked out something that I thought was a weed, but was in actual fact the top of my Dahlia. The bulb didn't come out but I stuck it back in the ground and said a little prayer. Help from Australia.

[@greatgardensforall]

Always looking for new ways to store dahlias. The only thing worked for me is sand. Covering in newspaper was ok but not 100% success rate. There is something about sand that keeps that humidity perfect. It also has no organic matter so very low probability of rotting. But it's freaking heavy! So I will try wood shavings this year. Thanks so much for all the videos and doggie interruptions 😁😁😁

[@Spawkat]

Makes sense.... storing and layering carrots this way will keep for better part of a year!!!! I love your channel too!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Sand sounds like a good plan, but yes, the weight would be a drag (literally). The nice thing about the wood shavings is that they make really nice compost. :)

[@kyrad6543]

I tried wood shavings last year and they were a bust for me. But our climate is very dry. So I think that presents additional challenges for storage. Plus we don't really have cool basements here so the garage is about it and I think the temp varies a bit too much there.

[@ramibu239]

You don't want to use wood shaving, but something more w/ "sand" consistency would be vermiculite. It's very light weight! I was a 4th gen grower/shower/saler before I became disabled & this is what we used.

[@ramibu239]

@@kyrad6543 vermiculite will help w/ the insulation of your tubers as well. Just be sure to check every 2 wks for the 1st month or 2, then once a month. Will need to carefully rotate them so as not to knock of the eye(s) for nexts years plants. Good luck!

[@mabelgoddard5813]

Thank you Erin! I love,love love Dahlias 💕 I did the wood chip method. I failed to check them through the winter. I lost a few ... Thanks to you, I learned another tip! Hugh’s 🍁💕🤗

[@ramibu239]

Used to be w/ the Dahlia Society (also a 4th generation grower) before I became disabled. Yeah, it's inportant to go out every couple weeks & check them, shake them/ turn them, & toss any that aren't doing good along the way so as they don't spread disease & rot to the others. Even though we are told to store in vermiculite or cedar shavings, air flow is mandatory so as she said never a sealed container or bag. Good luck!😉

[@karonwostenholme6533]

New gardener enjoy how you show every step, thank you x new subscriber xx

[@dollyperry3020]

I love your dahlia videos. I'm back for a re-watch as I prepare to store my dahlias for the first time. I'd love to have a dahlia tour or a favorite dahlia varieties video :)

[@ZokomoTV]

Awesome advice Erin! I first found your channel because of these videos! The first time I tried I think my storage temperatures were too warm. This year we have a garage so I'm going to try that. We'll see how this goes!

[@kknichols8067]

I’m taking my first crack at it in a few weeks. Wish me luck! Thank you so much for sharing your methods 😊.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Wishing you ALL the luck!

[@emptynestgardens9057]

Ok now that you got me hooked 😳 and credit card is on 🔥🔥🔥 with my first ever Dahlia purchases for Spring 2021. Here I am rewatching every single one of your Dahlia care videos for like the 3rd time. 🤣. 🥃cheers you enabler you! I'm going to need bigger borders to add in 14 of those suckers. 😉🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Spawkat]

Super good stuff Erin! I just can not wait til spring to plant some now!

[@daiseegray9110]

First time dahlia owner. Love them thanks for the storage information

[@EveBrandy]

Erin: Sorry, dog. Dog: Sorry, squirrel. And thanks for another informative video. I can't wait to start growing Dahlias!

[@barbll000]

Thanks for this video. I'm really looking forward to planting dahlias next spring for the first time.

[@peggyjk]

Still waiting for mine to freeze back too. Last year I lost about half 😢 so I’m a little nervous. I had them in boxes with peat, I’ve used peat in the past but in a big 55 gallon plastic drum and had pretty good success especially the bottom ones, however I think the peat got to old and was really dry. I’m trying the wood shavings this year, my husband has a bunch. I thought about doing some in the plastic wrap as well, we’ll see...... Thanks for sharing!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I'll tell you that plastic wrap method was a PAIN in the butt, but those tubers were absolutely perfect when I unwrapped them in spring. Still, I just have too many dahlias to mess with that.

[@ramibu239]

We live in Willamette Valley of Oregon so if we didnt have a freeze by the 1st of November we always went ahead & dug ours. We get too much rain in the Winter which keeps our ground too wet & rots them.

[@ginger76661]

shredded paper works good too...

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Great to know. Thank you!

[@SeaAggieAlli07]

I was hunting the comments for this before I asked the question and not get a response 🤣 (Erin, love your content so I know you might be busy to respond) hoping to try this today! We just had a decent frost, yesterday in Chicago burbs.

[@dreamytangerine8413]

New Subscriber from Nashville Tennessee. 🙋🏼 This was my first backyard garden growing our own plants from seed. I really want some beautiful dahlias in our flower beds and garden. These videos are a big help. Over to watch the 1st one. Best~ 🌺💚🌱

[@anafindlay1696]

Hi your Dahlias look amazing so you must be doing something right! I've watched your series on the subject and I'm definitely trying your method this coming spring! Thank you ❤️❤️

[@anafindlay1696]

I wanted to ask you if you can recommend a supplier for Dahilas I don't know where to begin I live in Chicago. Thank you!

[@ramibu239]

@@anafindlay1696 I live in Willamette Valley of OR so I've ordered quite a few from Swan Island Dahlias. I know that there are several other reputable companies that specialize in just Dahlias. You might want to check w/ the Dahlia Society in what ever area you live in. Many of their growers sale show quality Dahlia tubers for very reasonable prices.

[@ramibu239]

I am was a 4th generation grower/shower/saler until I became disabled & all the digging & dividing in Fall, driving stakes & planting in Spring, & constant deadheading & disbudding in Summer became too much. Anyway, my parents & I always stored ours in vermiculite & never had an issue w/ tubers drying out. I know my grandparents & ggrandparents used cedar shaving when I was a kid. Maybe this is why our family switched?!?!🤔

[@ramibu239]

Btw... just a tip, if you mark the name of Dahlia on your tubers w/ an indelible pencil you will the name it when come next Spring!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Thank you for all the tips.

[@ramibu239]

@@TheImpatientGardener yeah, sorry!!! You obviously hit me w/ something I'm passionate about ' I prob went a little crazy!🤪😅

[@baylaschauer3122]

I am really surprised the shavings do not dry them out. I worked on a racetrack and we use to spray down the shavings before we put them in the horses stalls because it would dry out their hoofs

[@jeanioneill6610]

Our frost is coming within the next 2 weeks. Thanks for the great tips . Last year all my tubers got moldy. I’ll try the wood shavings

[@ClassicRoyal]

What did you use when they got moldy? This is my first year storing them and I bought vermiculite and burlap sacks. I’ve got to get my crates. I’m going to out them in my basement.

[@panemer]

Thanks for sharing! Im going to try it this year

[@PlantingandCamping]

Yup, needed this advice! Thanks!

[@theeapco]

Fantastic info and so timely!

[@deborahgray2255]

Love your videos 😊

[@viviangerard459]

love your channel i only have room for 2 dahlias i stored mine last year in the garage they were all shrivelled up

[@kellyferren2705]

thank you so much I will try this .love your video

[@carriemoriarity5806]

Thanks Erin - I've been looking forward to this video! I hope you keep posting over the winter - you are one of my absolute favorite youtube gardeners!

[@lydiarose29]

Shout out to anyone for help. I live in North Florida. I've done all the above mentioned. Because unfortunately I've left in ground and they rotted with the rain we have after they died back. Hence, any suggestions on where i can store?? I do have a small basement that may get 50 in winter but now its 70. Should i just keep them in air conditioned house we keep around 74 until our colder weather which is not until October usually. Any advice appreciated. Thanks ahead

[@cindylouwhobohl6983]

Such good info!!! Thanks!

[@monaadibi2043]

Thanks for the videos and all the tips. I just discovered your channel. If I keep my dahlias in pot all sommer, is it enough if I store the pots including tubers and soil in a cool dark place during winter? Or do I need to take the tubers out of soil and pots? Thanks

[@dirkbaumann9398]

Thank You for your video. I live in Canada with below 0 temperatures in the winter. I would like to store my dahlias in the head in a box surrounded by styrophome and with a blanket on top. Do you or any of your subscribers have any suggestions on how to prepare a head for dahlia winter storage ? Best Regards Dirk

[@shirleydelinsky7935]

Relaxation videos

[@vickybrady4758]

This is such a helpful video! I grew dahlias this year for the first time to use in my wedding bouquet! Quick question though, I got to the point where I dried my tubers out and I was about to put them in some sawdust but some of the tubers seem squishy, like an old potato, should I keep those? Or will they not last?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I’ve had that happen (in fact some of mine this year were like that). Usually they firm back up for me, but I store them separately from the firm ones just in case they do start to rot.

[@dollyperry3020]

How did the contractors bag work? We need an update!

[@marietownsend8396]

Thank you mam . Will do.

[@rmk6693]

All those extra sprouts at around 6:04 - I thought that's what leafy gall looks like? Oh boy, I thought some of mine were infected because they had those sprouts and I got rid of them. Ugh - dahlias are so awesome but also a bit high maintenance. I get so confused.

[@amamo22]

This is my first year with Dahlias 2020 and ok I'm thinking wow there alot of work but what else do I have to do lol Thank you for your videos they help alot

[@carmensilva4729]

What month or the best is time to dig out tubers and store them?

[@nanapoppi3]

So I'm going to follow your method of storing my dahlias and after 4 days of drying out the tubers are soft but not mushy and wrinkled.. Should I mist the wood shavings to give them a bit of moisture before closing the cardboard box they're staying in?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I find that I don't need to mist mine until after the holidays usually, but if they seem particularly dry, I think it's a good idea to do at the time of storing.

[@grandsuzan1267]

😩might as well raise children! Looks like a lot of work and care😉. Great info. Thanks!

[@staryeyez4853]

Great video, thank you! I have never grown Dahlias and was GIVEN a huge amount. SHe never divided them so each cluster is gigantic, I'm afraid to try and divide them. Should I just leave the great big ones as they are or try to divide in the spring?

[@melissaingle6]

Thanks for this info! Love your videos😃 Just successfully planted my first dahlias this year, if I’m in zone 8 do I need to dig them up???

[@TheImpatientGardener]

You shouldn't have to, Melissa. In zone 8 you should be good cutting them back and mulching. If you need to divide them though, you will have to dig, divide then wait for them to dry off before replanting, so you might as well store them in that case.

[@ramibu239]

I live in zone 8 of Willamette Valley in Oregon. We most def have to dig ours as leaving them in ground that stays wet all the time will absolutely rot them!!! Contact your local Dahlia Society & see what they say though as your area might be different.

[@darrinmc]

Hi Erin. What size fork do you use to dig up the tubers? I'm going to try saving my tubers this fall.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I think you can use anything, but I use my Sneeboer Ladies Garden Fork, which is probably 10-12" across.

[@tibmartiekenitzer7843]

So I just got myself a few dahlias and one has an over grown eye.... Should I just leave that part stuck out or snap it off and let it grow again. Is it possible that another eye would grow?

[@jennifersauer3257]

Did you get a new camera? Great video resolution. Very clear. My weekend chore list includes digging dahlias! 😊

[@karie3]

Thanks for the awesome video! I lost all my dahlias tubers one year because I put a elephant ear bulb in with them! Bad bad idea! Could you tell me the best way or the way you store elephant ear bulbs and canna lillies? My cannas went absolutely wild this year and at least tripled themselves. So now I have at least 100 or more bulbs/tubers to store. Would love to know your thoughts on storing them!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I don't have nearly as much experience in storing these other bulbs, but cannas seem to be very easy ... seems like you can stick them in a bag and forget about them and they are good to go. As for elephant ears, it seems there are several varieties and it varies based on variety.

[@deananderson2143]

New subscriber beautiful gardener I mean Garden

[@sharonkarkabi3420]

Do you spritz the bedding medium when you initially store them??

[@marlaschaefer2544]

I dug my tubers up at the appropriate time, dried them out for about a week and a half, labeled them, but at the end of the 1 1/2 weeks of drying ( we were out of town), they had dried and shriveled enough that I wanted to throw them out. Instead of doing that I soaked them in water for about three days and they plumped up again, but after letting them dry out again they shriveled again. Not sure how to keep them plump. Should I store them before I dry them out?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Generally speaking you want them to be dry before you store them (I think rot is scarier than drying out), but I'd definitely keep an eye on them and mist if necessary.

[@lindacannella7560]

Hi Erin! Love your garden, your channel, your dogs and you!😊 I grew some dinner plate dahlias for the first time this year. I enjoyed bringing cuttings into my house until I noticed tiny dark bugs, I think thrips? I had bugs coming out of my flowers and crawling on my counter. Do you have this problem? Do you have a solution?

[@ramibu239]

Most likely flea beetles! They love Dahlias!😕

[@debpotter7552]

how much do you spritz the medium... I would like to see you put your box to bed for the month... do you dampen it right away or wait a month for the tubers to dry out some?

[@ramibu239]

Might want to look up the American Dahlia Society webpage for tips on storing!

[@kimirvine6310]

Do you plant Dalias in pots ?

[@gardeningbyheart4912]

About how many dahlia tubers are you able to place in each crate? I just purchased 6 different types of dahlias (3 tubers each) from Longfield Gardens and wondering how many collapsable crates I should purchase. Thanks!! :)

[@seriouslyreally5413]

So does the residual stem and the entire clump, all the tubers, have to be completely covered with shavings so no light can break the dormancy? Do you need to store the crate in a cupboard so they stay in complete darkness like storing potatoes so they dont sprout?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Oh gosh I didn't mention darkness! Shoot. Yes, that is important. A little squeak of light wouldn't hurt but you want as dark as possible. Many will break dormancy on their own in spring, so don't be surprised if you find a little shoot here or there.

[@anitahadley2871]

Step one: buy dahlias. I’m guessing I should wait til spring for that.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Yep! Most online stores start selling around December. You’ll probably find them in stores beginning in March.

[@judyjones6306]

We cut roots too? An just save tubs?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Yes, you can remove the stringy bits to clean them up. This can be done in spring as well. You just need to save the tuber bits.

[@dallastaylor5479]

How about shredded mail?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I think that could probably work, but I would think finer shredding would be better. Just keep an eye on them over the winter to see how they are doing.

[@vnickcolvin4971]

Where do you purchase your new dahlias? Suggestions

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Almost exclusively online just because of the selection and the ability to research varieties without standing in a store. I get most of my tubers from Longfield Gardens, but I have also been happy with purchases from Swan Island Dahlias.

[@ramibu239]

I ordered from Swan Island for years! You might also want to check w/ your local Dahlia Society as many of their growers sell show quality tubers for a very reasonable price. Our Eugene Dahlia Society even has a couple of tuber sales every Spring for a fundraiser.

[@lajpromoemailsbainbridgeis508]

Swan island dahlias have an excellent selection and an excellent product. I’ve ordered from them the last 3 years. Very reliable and good quality.

[@annettearellano9482]

Can I put in my garage?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Annette Arellano Depends on the temp there. You’re looking for around 50 degrees but I think you can push that from 40-60. If it freezes in your garage, no.

[@annettearellano9482]

@@TheImpatientGardener thank you, yes sometimes edmonton is -45

[@schindel6307]

What are those gorgeous pink flowers in behind you!?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Appropriately, dahlias! That’s ‘Bishop of Canterbury’ still doing it’s thing.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Oh the dahlias are the bright pink, to the left is Bobo hydrangea in its fall color.

[@schindel6307]

@@TheImpatientGardener crazy! They look nothing like that in photos I've seen. So much more beautiful than I realized. Thank you for sharing.

[@dtmc4509]

Too much talking to make video longer

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Sometimes definitely too much talking but never on purpose to make a video longer. KZbin rewards short videos so no advantage to purposely making them longer. Blame the editing, not the intent.