Dig and Dry

Frost brings an abrupt end to the growing season for tender bulbs -- cannas, callas, caladiums, dahlias, tuberous begonias, gladioluses, and tuberoses, to name some of the most common. Some might survive a winter outdoors in Zone 7 or warmer, but in colder climates they perish if left in the ground. You might think that the cost of new bulbs is low enough that it's not worth the hassle of digging and storing the bulbs. The thrifty among us dig them, however, and keep the same bulbs from year to year. Here's how.

The spectacular leaves and flowers of cannas are always a favorite of visitors to the Test Garden. But once the temperature drops to 28 degrees F. or so, the show ends and the leaves turn brown. Our dahlias, elephant ears, and glads look the same, so at that point it is time to bring them in.

The photos here show us digging a 'Tropicanna' canna, but the process is much the same for other tender bulbs. You need to be careful not to slice into the bulbs as you dig. After a summer in the ground, they may be quite a bit larger than when you planted them in the spring.

To start the job, lift the clump of roots from the ground and knock off as much soil as you can. Put the clumps in a dry, cool spot (but not where they might be exposed to freezing) for a week or so. When digging several varieties of bulbs, be sure to label each clump.