Overwintered Begonias & Dahlias

Begonias and Dahlias are both popular garden plants known for their bright, colourful flowers. Begonias are known for their large, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, orange, and white, while Dahlias are known for their large, fluffy blooms in a wide range of colours. Both plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, and Begonias are generally considered as annuals while dahlias are considered as perennials. They are commonly grown in gardens, containers, and as cut flowers.

To overwinter dahlias and begonias, the tubers should be dug up after the first frost in the autumn. Shake off excess soil and cut off the stem and leaves. Allow the tubers to dry for a few days before storing them in a cool, dry place, such as a basement or garage. The tubers should be stored in peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust to keep them from drying out. Make sure to check on the tubers periodically throughout the winter, and remove any that have begun to rot. 

In the spring, the tubers can be replanted in the garden or you can also propagate the begonias by leaf or stem cutting, which is an easier method as well.

Now, Early January is a good time to start some of your summer flowers especially with new or your overwintered begonias & dahlias plus sweet peas from seed.
Getting these plants started now will insure a colourful start to the summer season in the coming year.