In my quest to search out new experiences and step outside my comfort zone, I attended the Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival a few weeks ago, as my salute to the last day of summer and to celebrate the harvest season. The website encouraged me to “Try a chocolate sauerkraut cupcake, sauerkraut ice cream and the famous Scappoose Sauerkraut Sandwich!” Well, I didn’t want to stand in line for the sandwich (it was threatening to rain again), I never tasted the cupcakes, but I did sample the ice cream. I must say, after steeling my taste buds, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t more “sauerkraut-y.”
It was heartwarming to see how this small community west of Portland comes together for a celebration. Events included cabbage bowling and a sauerkraut eating contest, as well as booths with crafts from local artisans and produce and cut flowers from local growers.
I would estimate 80% of the late-summer cut flowers were dahlias, along with a few roses and the very last of the gladiolus on display. The dahlias are at their finest now – they were spectacular. You could choose from myriad colors and forms, and the extravagant cut flower bouquets that mixed several varieties were irresistible.
This is the best time of year to choose what varieties you’d like to have in your garden next summer. Check out plantings in your area to get an idea of the versatility of dahlias in the landscape, and how many diverse varieties there are. You can check out garden catalogs or look online. Most dahlias ship in spring, but ordering now reserves your dahlias, and ensures you get your first choice(s). Breck’s features 28 dahlia offers on their site right now, including half a dozen collections or mixtures that save me the anguish of trying to make difficult choices.
But now, our dahlias are almost done. So what do you do after the dahlias have finished their late summer show? In many parts of the country (Zones 3-7 in particular), you should dig them up and prepare them for storage over the winter, so they’ll be ready for planting again in spring.
- Wait about two weeks after a killing frost – foliage on the plants will have changed from green to brown. If the plants do not experience cold enough temperatures, tubers will not store properly.
- Cut the flower stalk and foliage to about six inches.
- Using a spade or pitchfork, gently lift the tubers, taking care not to break the necks.
- Wash the roots and air-dry them for about a day, in a protected place.
- Store tubers in cardboard boxes lined with newspaper. (Note: Plastic bags or plastic containers that are sealed should never be used for storage.)
- Layer the tubers with a storage medium such as slightly dampened peat moss, sand, sawdust or wood shavings until the container is full.
- Store in a cool, dry area, at a temperature between 40°-50°F. If conditions are too cold, the tubers may freeze and could rot; too warm, and they could dry out and shrivel up.
- Check on your tubers at least once a month during the winter.
Come spring, you can wait until the soil warms up (to at least 60°F.) to replant, or start them indoors about six weeks before you intend to plant them outside.
