Dahlias

2025 Dahlia Tuber Sale Coming in MARCH

Dahlia tubers will produce plants that are identical to the mother stock. Prices reflect market value, as to not undercut other growers. No one dahlia is pickier than the others, they may just be a rare variety, and others are not as prolific in tuber reproduction.

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Dahlia Planting Advice

Choose a spot with at least 7 hours of SUN.
Provide ample spacing (12"-18") between plants to avoid mildew.
Dahlias CANNOT tolerate ANY COLD spells when they begin growing. Do not plant your tubers or starts outdoors until mid May in CT.
Dahlias prefer RICH but sandy, WELL DRAINING soil.
Stake at the time of planting so that you do not stab a tuber when it is growing later on.
Each grower has their own theories about planting a dahlia tubers outdoors. I have had success planting tubers LATER IN MAY when the spring storms settle. I choose a time with a couple of dry days - I have found that if dahlias are saturated too soon after planting (before true sprouts form), they tend to rot easier.
Plant tubers with the eye facing up. (This isn't imperative, the growth will turn up to the surface but it helps the plant to grow straighter.)
Once green appears above the surface, dahlias need CONSISTENT WATER, like tomatoes.

Storage

Dahlias are not perennial in our zone, therefore they need to be dug up every winter.
Allow the frost to kill the plant, and wait a few more days after the first hard frost to dig up. This allows the tuber to stop all growth.
Be careful uncovering the clump of tubers - they snap off easily.
But have no fear, if you break a set of tubers, they will still grow! Remember that a plant only needs ONE tuber to grow.
Check back to our social media accounts for dividing advice, or simply place the tubers in a box with peat moss, sand, vermiculite, wood chips, or wood shavings. Place in a cool (but not freezing) spot in your basement and pull back out in May!
(I will be giving suggestions about what I use and find the most successful in the fall)

Disclaimer!

DON'T FEAR DAHLIAS: IF I HAVE LEARNED ONE THING IT IS THAT FLOWERS WANT TO GROW AND BLOOM. YOU CAN'T MESS THEM UP AS MUCH AS PEOPLE LIKE TO BELIEVE YOU CAN.

Advanced Advice:

Start Indoors?

To give dahlias a head start, consider beginning them indoors, in a very bright window. Once they have their first set of leaves, and the outdoor soil is past 60 degrees plant outside.

Pinch Back

When plants are about 12" tall, pinch them back below a set of leaves. This encourages sturdier plants and more blooms.

Fertilize

Every 3-4 weeks in blooming season, fertilize the base of the plants. I use fish emulsion and liquid seaweed when they begin to grow, but in flowering season move to a low nitrogen fert.