Growing Dahlias Successfully

Simple growing practices from our fields to yours.

  • 01 - Plant After Frost

    Plant after all danger of frost has passed. Dahlias prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil. Ideal planting times will vary depending on your growing zone and local climate conditions.

  • 02 - Prepare the Hole

    Dig a hole approximately 6 inches deep. Add about 1 cup of compost and 1 Tablespoon of a balanced, organic fertilizer into the bottom of the hole before planting. We typically use either Bio-Tone Starter Plus or Down to Earth Rose & Flower mix.

  • 03 - Plant the Tuber

    Place the tuber horizontally with the eye or sprout facing upward, then cover it completely with soil so the tuber sits approximately 4-6 inches below the soil surface.

    If no sprout is visible, don't worry. This is completely normal. If a sprout is already present, bury it along with the tuber. For tubers with longer sprouts, carefully backfill soil around the sprout, leaving the growing tip near or slightly above the soil surface if needed.

  • 04 - Wait to Water

    Do not water immediately after planting unless your soil is very dry. Wait until sprouts emerge and are at least a few inches tall before beginning regular watering.

    In very dry climates, a light watering may be needed after planting to provide enough moisture for growth to begin. The goal is lightly moist soil, not wet soil.

    Be patient. Dahlias are often slow to wake up in spring. Tubers with a visible eye commonly take 4-6 weeks to emerge, and cool soil temperatures can delay growth even longer. It can be tempting to dig up a tuber to see what's happening, but please resist the urge. Emerging sprouts are fragile and can easily be broken before they reach the soil surface.

  • 05 - Protect Tender Growth

    Protect young plants from snails, slugs and earwigs early in the season while growth is still tender. We use Sluggo Plus around newly emerging plants to help prevent damage during this vulnerable stage.

  • 06 - Pinch for More Blooms

    Once plants have at least three sets of leaves, pinch the center growing tip to encourage branching and increased bloom production. Although it can feel intimidating at first, pinching is one of the best ways to achieve fuller plants and more blooms throughout the season.

  • 07 - Support Your Plants

    It is important to support all dahlias, especially once plants begin producing blooms. For individual plants in the garden landscape we prefer low, wide, ringed metal cages. In rows or raised beds, we typically use metal T-posts with Hortonova netting for support.

  • 08 - Feed and Water

    Consistent moisture and regular feeding are key to healthy plants and abundant blooms. Once plants are actively growing, begin a regular feeding program and maintain even soil moisture throughout the season. Dahlias grown in containers typically benefit from feeding every 2-3 weeks, while those grown in the ground can be fed every 3-4 weeks. We like to supplemet with liquid fertilizers such as Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed and Alaska Morbloom throughout the season.

  • 09 - Keep Cutting

    Cutting flowers and deadheading spent blooms will encourage continued flowering throughout the season until the first frost. We also recommend sanitizing your cutting tools between plants to help reduce the spread of disease within the garden. We use Virkon S, or a diluted bleach solution in a small popsicle holder while harvesting to make switching and sanitizing tools between plants fast and easy.