For the last few years I have been digging them up, storing in the garage and then potting them up around April here in the PNW. First year, not much success and many of the stored tubers rotted. I didn't properly clean them. Last year I washed them off thoroughly and stored them in wood shavings. They came through really well. I've potted them up and waiting for shoots. Though I think I may have separated the tubers incorrectly. I clipped off the tubers from the main stalk, keeping as much of the neck as I could, then potted up. I recently was told you want to have a bit if the stalk, an eye and the tuber. Most of mine weren't showing any eyes. Still learning about these.

For sure digging them up and storing them in some sort of dessicant is tried and true and more efficient but as I mentioned I have had better success, storing them in pots in potting soil.

(I wish I was just as successful with storing Alocasia and Colocasia :( )

I wasn't trying to show you a better way, sorry if it came across like that. Am hoping someone more knowledgeable than I might read about how I dealt with the tubers and learn something. I went to the Pacific Northwest Dahlia sale and the tubers they had available did not have any stalk or eyes, just a tuber. So I was emulating what they had done. A fellow gardener told me about the stalk and eye trick, which I'm sure works, but maybe there are other ways to do it. Only time will tell if what I did will work.

Not at all @SeniorBalloon!

We are just comparing techniques and I realize the limitations of mine.

Found a good video that clearly shows I made some mistakes and will likely not get many to grow. The video does a good job of clearly showing how to look for eyes. Wish I had understood this before I started hacking my tubers. Next year. :o(

Separating dahila tubers

Wow - you ARE a glutton for punishment:-) -- you have a thing for dahlias it would appear. I sent you a msg a couple of days ago commenting on the fact that some you left in the ground survived winter. I took one of mine after winter inside and planted in ground near house, last week. Another one I put in a pot. I'm going to leave the in ground one over next winter and see if I have the same luck as you. I am in zone 6 as well. As an aside, I saw a tip about watering them - not too much in the early stages as the tuber will rot. Don't know what to tell the weatherman about rain...good luck with all of your many tubers.