blackthumb

[brattygirlone]

how do i care for a dahlia in utah?... use dumb people language please- i am just an amatuer

[Newt]

Hi Bratty,
Dahlia are tender plants that will not survive your winter. You will need to dig up the swollen root system, called a tuber, in fall after the first killing frost and store in a cool place. You can replant it after all danger of frost next spring. These sites will tell you how to care for them.

http://www.dahlia.com/dahliatips.html
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...re/DG1115.html

This site give good instructions on how to store the tubers if you decide to.

http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopE...bs/dahltub.htm

Newt

[rookie]

I live in New Mexico and am also a rookie...the first thing I planted was dahlia bulbs. They are so big and are beautiful! If you have the big ones...tie them to posts, I lost two last night in the wind! I have not been through a winter with them yet, but in the summer, watch out for snails and don't water them all that much. One of mine was doing SO good and then all of the sudden it shriveled up to nothing....don't know why. Good Luck!