Growing Dahlias
Dahlias can be addicting, you have been warned! The dahlias we grow are tall, cut flower varieties. As you make your way through the growing season, don't hesitate to reach out with questions. Look for flower club meet-ups at the farm to gather with like-minded flower people. Grow with us!
Key Planting & Growing Basics: Site & Soil
Requires full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, ideally amended with compost or bone meal.
Planting Depth & Position:
Dig a 4-6 inch deep hole. Place the tuber horizontally with the eye (where the stalk grows) pointing up.
Spacing:
Space tubers 18-24 inches apart.
Watering:
Do not water immediately after planting unless the soil is very dry. Wait until sprouts emerge, then water about 1 inch per week, increasing to 2 inches during blooming.
Staking:
Tall varieties (like these) require staking; place the stake at planting time to avoid damaging the tuber later.
Container Growing:
Use large pots with drainage holes, filled with high-quality potting mix.
Starting Early:
Tubers can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost in pots, which helps avoid slugs and provides earlier blooms.
When to Plant In-Ground:
When the ground is warm (60°F), and all danger of frost has passed (mid to late May).
Containers:
Early spring (March/April) to get a head start, moving them outside in late May.
Common Issues - Rot:
Overwatering before the plant has developed foliage is the primary cause of tuber rot.
Pests:
Slugs love young shoots; protect with diatomaceous earth (D.E.) or traps. Be on the lookout for thrips, Japanese beetles, and grasshoppers as the season unfolds.