Dahlias are tubers that offer large bright blossoms during the
summer. Hardy in zones 7 to 11, most dahlia growers must dig up
the bulbs in the fall and replant them in the spring. Gardeners
who grow dahlias in warm climates do not need to remove them
from the ground and store them over winter. In colder climates,
you can wait until after the first frost and the dahlia leaves
have turned black before you dig them up to prepare them for
dormancy and storage. Cut the stems back on your dahlia plants
to six inches tall. Loosen the soil around the bulb with a fork
and gently lift it out of the ground. Remove the excess soil
from the dahlia bulb. If your soil is mostly clay, you can leave
the bulbs in the sun for a day to dry the clay and make it
easier to remove. Label each of the dahlia bulbs if you have
more than one kind. You can tie a tag to the root and write the
names with a permanent marker. Place the dahlia bulbs upside
down in a dry area with good circulation. Leave the bulbs alone
for two weeks so that