I Dug Up a Monster Today.
It may seem bizarre, but I am digging up some of my dahlias.
Yes. In February.
Why? Well, to put it simply: the sun is shining.
That’s right! I choose to leave my dahlias in the ground over winter, and then little-by-little, I dig clumps on the sunny days. And I truly believe this method keeps me healthy. Don’t believe me? Let me list the ways digging tubers on sunny days is healthier than digging dahlia tubers in the fall.
It breaks up the work load: Trying to dig all of your dahlias in the fall puts you on a very quick deadline. You have to get them out before the winter hits. This means rain or shine, you’re out there, freezing, and breaking your back to get them all dug up. No Thanks.
It let’s me acknowledge my mental health: Let me be blunt with you: I’m DONE by the time October hits. The change in seasons and cooler weather is not only a signal to the garden to go to sleep, it’s a signal for me to take some rest (after prepping the garden for winter of course…). This winter I have spent much more time with family, and haven’t thought much about flowers at all. Now I’m feeling refreshed, recharged, and very excited for the upcoming growing season!
It saves me from crying: I don’t know about you, but trying to store tubers is a process that I have not had much success with… the tubers are either too moist, too dry, to warm, too cold… opening up a tote of moldy tubers can make even the strongest of grown women burst into tears. The soil here in the PNW does a mighty fine job of storing tubers! Not sure how to prep your tubers to overwinter? Check out this reel
It saves me time: If you leave tubers in the soil over winter, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you dig them to find obvious “eyes” for dividing. The eyes will be engorged from their nap in the moist soil, making it much more simple to divide each clump.
Vitamin D: There are so many health benefits to Vitamin D! Here in the PNW, it can be difficult to get enough of it from the sun (newsflash: it rains a lot). We take a supplement, but there’s just nothing better than exposure to the good ol’ sun, especially during the winter months!
I could go on and on about how much I LOVE leaving dahlia tubers in the ground.
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