Dahlias from My Garden

I remember buying these in the fall and thinking, "$7 for two bulbs," thinking only two flowers would come out of them. Right now there are at least 20 buds formed. These I lopped off because they were weighing down the stalks, and well, because they are so beautiful. I think next year this whole side of my garden will be a dahlia garden. Then I can have beautiful flowers to cut all summer. And they're annuals. I am worried about them coming back, and what I may have to do to make them come back. I hear you have to dig them out and keep them in the fridge or something. Sounds complicated.