Tender bulbs are a great way to keep your garden blooming well past spring. Many of these bulbs do not start blooming until late spring or early summer which means beautiful blooms even after your tulips and daffodils have faded. Tender bulbs however can’t handle cold winter temperatures or freezing ground. So, if you grow tender bulbs like begonia, freesia or dahlia, you will have to store them away for winter. Here is a guide to help you store your dahlia bulbs this fall.

How to Store Dahlia Bulbs

• Wait until after the first frost to cut back your dahlia. They can handle a little bit of cold weather. Once the first frost hits, the majority of the leaves and greenery will die off.
• Trim them back to about 3 or 4 inches above the ground. Then wait at least a week. By waiting a week you give the dahlia eyes a chance to set. This is very important: always wait one week after cutting the stem back before digging up your plant. If it hasn’t frozen by November, don’t keep waiting; simply follow the steps and prepare your dahlia for winter.
• After waiting a week, carefully dig your plant from the ground. Dahlia roots are considered tubers and can be very delicate, so be careful as you remove them from the ground. Remove excess dirt and rinse with clean water.
• The tubers should remain moist throughout the winter, so place them in an open container packed in peat moss. Check on them periodically throughout the winter and moisten them if needed. A light misting from a squirt bottle usually does the trick.
• Store the tubers somewhere where they won’t freeze or be too warm. A garage or garden shed should work well.

Once spring has arrived, you can remove your dahlia tubers and immediately replant. By taking the time to winter them away from freezing temperatures, you can ensure beautiful blooms and a healthy plant.

Bulbs tend to be easy to grow, but for the most success, you should carefully choose bulbs that will do well in your climate. Everywhere is different, so understanding your climate and garden situation will help you choose the best bulbs for success. Remember, now that fall is here, it’s time for planting bulbs; and if you want to enjoy beautiful blooms this spring, now is the perfect time to plant.

Planting Bulbs by Hardiness Zones

One good way to determine what will grow well in your area is to take a quick peek at the USDA zone hardiness map. This simple U.S. map details which growing zone you live in. Zones are determined using temperatures, and will help you to determine what will grow best where you live. If you want beautiful bulbs that are sure to grow, figure out your zone and then shop accordingly. You can easily find a copy of this map on the Internet.

Buy Local Flower Bulbs for Climate Compatibility

Another great option is to buy local. Your local nursery will likely stock many bulbs that you can grow. Talk with them and find out what will grow well where you live. If you purchase bulbs from local sellers rather than from online, you will surely know that they will work in your climate. Of course, the Internet does carry more of a selection than a local store, so if you are curious, first find out what can grow in your area and then shop around online.

Many bulb choices grow well in a variety of different climates. For example irises typically grow well throughout most of the United States. Daffodil and tulips also tend to be easy to grow and pretty hardy. In colder climates, some bulbs will not be able to handle a cold winter. In these situations, simply dig up the bulbs and store for winter.

Bulbs are a great and colorful addition to any garden. If you want to see the best results possible, take a little time to learn about the plants that you hope to grow. This will help you choose effectively and will ensure a beautiful garden next spring.