How to Plant Dahlia Tubers & Dahlia Growing Guide

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Dahlias are one of the most rewarding flowers to grow, and thankfully they are also easy to grow! Here are our tips for planting dahlias and our quick, easy dahlia growing guide.

Note: Dahlia tubers will be available at the Flourish Farmstand on May 3-4, 2024. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a preview of which varieties will be available!

 
 

CARING FOR YOUR DAHLIA TUBERS BEFORE PLANTING

  • Open the paper bag (which is how tubers from Flourish are packaged) so that the tubers receive fresh airflow

  • Store the bag in a cool, dark, dry space until they are ready for planting

  • Dahlia tubers are ready to be planted now (late April/early May)

 
 

TIPS FOR PLANTING + GROWING DAHLIAS

  • Prepare the garden bed in full sun with well-draining soil. Do not plant dahlias until all danger of frost has passed. 

  • Dig a trench or hole about 6-8” deep and add a sprinkle of organic compost or fertilizer. We use a well-balanced 4-6-4 fertilizer on our farm. (The compost/fertilizer is optional)

  • Dahlia tubers should be spaced 16-24” apart. Lay the tubers horizontally sprout-side up. Cover so it is buried with at least 3” of soil.

  • If there is no natural rainfall, very lightly water dahlias before they begin sprouting. Tubers are very prone to rotting, so it is important not to overwater. 

  • Dahlias need to be kept weed free. Use organic mulch around the plants, such as wheat straw or cardboard, to prevent weeds and conserve moisture. 

  • When the plants are about 12” tall, snip off about 4” of the central stem. This is called pinching and encourages good branching, giving you more stems and blooms in the long run. 

  • After the plants are established (and are about 8-12” tall), water once or twice per week. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses for watering is strongly recommended to help with disease control. Only water when there is little or no natural rainfall.

  • Dahlias need a support structure to keep the heavy blooms from bending to the ground. Tomato cages work great for a small amount of plants. For long rows of dahlias, horizontal Tenax netting or staking using a corral method is recommended.

  • The more you cut your dahlias, the more they keep blooming! We cut our stems every 3 days, even if it's just deadheading. This encourages the plant to keep producing flowers, versus going to seed. Cut deeply on long-stems to continue  promoting longer stem growth. Cut when the flowers are ¾ or most of the way open. Dahlia flowers do not open much more once they’ve been cut. Check the back of the plant for firm petals; browning or thin petals means the bloom has matured and will not last as long in a vase.

 

flourish 2024 farmstand tuber sale variety preview:

  • Babbette

  • Boom Boom White

  • Boy Scout

  • Brown Sugar

  • Burlesca

  • Buttercup

  • Cafe au Lait

  • Cafe au Lait Rose

  • Caitlins Joy

  • Caramel Antique

  • Caro White

  • Cornel

  • Cornel Bronze

  • Cryfield Harmony

  • Diva

  • Franz Kafta

  • Golden Scepter

  • Ivanetti

  • Jowey Frambo

  • Jowey Linda

  • Jowey Nicky

  • Labyrinth

  • Linda's Baby

  • Maiike

  • Megan Dean

  • Natal

  • Orsett Beauty

  • Peaches

  • Pink Silvia

  • Rocco

  • Ryecroft Jan

  • Sweet Natalie

  • Sweet Suzanne

  • Totally Tangerine

  • Wizard of Oz