Things You'll Need:
- Sulfur Powder
- Newspaper
- Newspaper
- shower head nozzle
- paper box or nursery flats
- hose
- shovel or spading fork
- sharp knife or clippers
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Step 1
Wait to dig up dahlia tubers until the foliage has turned brown in the fall. Cut the foliage down prior to digging, making sure to leave a few inches of stem above ground.
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Step 2
Dig around the drip line of the dahlia with a shovel or spading fork. (The drip line is imaginary line around the outside perimeter of the foliage.) Dig carefully to avoid damaging the potato-like tubers.
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Step 3
Lift the clump of soil gently so that the tubers are exposed. Shake out excess soil.
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Step 4
Wash the clump of tubers under a gentle stream of water to remove the dirt, being careful not to damage the outside skin. Use a shower head instead of a strong jet sprayer hose attachment.
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Step 5
Use a sharp knife or clippers to separate tubers into individual pieces, leaving a two-inch piece of stem on each one. If the stem is removed completely, the tuber will not sprout next season.
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Step 6
Lay the prepared tubers on sheets of newspaper in a single layer. Allow them to air dry in a sunny location for one week.
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Step 7
Dust the prepared tubers with sulfur powder to prevent fungus disease and rot. Sulfur powder is available at nursery supply stores.
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Step 8
Store tubers in a cool, dark, dry location. The tubers can be stored in single layers in a cardboard box or nursery flats lined with newspaper.
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Step 9
Plant tubers in the spring after the soil has warmed.
