When to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Unlike other bulbs such as tulips, dahlias like warm soils so plant dahlia bulbs during the warmer and longer days of spring. Dahlias are usually planted about the same time you would plant your vegetable patch. Dahlia bulbs can be planted as late as mid-June in most parts of the country.
Where to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Dahlias will thrive in full sun but can tolerate some partial shade—usually the more sun, the bigger the flowers. Try to select a location that receives at least six hours of sun sheltered from the wind and with very good drainage. Dahlias require soil amending such as deep tilling and adding compost. You'll want to ensure the soil is loamy and well draining. Dahlia’s are heavy feeders! To encourage vigorous plants and healthy blooms, apply fertilizer at the time of planting or during the growing the season. Dahlia’s do not require a high Nitrogen fertilizer but one higher in Phosphorus and Potassium. Check your fertilizer bag for a 5-10-10 for the best option.
How to Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as the Dahlia bulb. Put the tuber in the hole with the “eye” on the tuber facing up. The eye is the point on the shoulder, or crown, of the tuber from which the plant grows. If you are planting a number of dahlias in the same location, they should be separated by about 2 feet to give each plant room to grow. The shorter varieties can be planted closer together. Plan for the rows to be 3 to 5 feet apart depending on the size of the plant. Fill in with soil to just cover the top of the bulb. As you begin to see new growth appear, cover again with soil. Covering the stem gradually will allow the stem to strengthen so it can support the flowers. Unless it is a very dry spring, it is not be necessary to water at the time of planting. The tubers will begin growing with the warmth and moisture in the soil. It is vital that they form a root system early in their planted life to assure a strong and healthy plant. Watering at the time of planting may encourage rot but as soon as your dahlias are growing above the ground, water deeply to encourage strong roots.
How to Care for Dahlias
Young dahlia plants do not need a lot of water, excessive water can lead to rotting of the plant. For larger plants, a good rule of thumb is to water if the rainfall is less than one inch in seven days. Pots require more regular watering. As the plant grows, remove any broken or damaged foliage. Good air circulation, especially near the ground is needed by the plants to prevent powdery mildew. Once the plants are several feet high the lower leaves can be removed to increase air circulation. Your dahlias will continue to bloom prolifically right up until frost. A heavy frost will kill the plant so you may want to dig the half a dozen or more tubers the plant has produced. Those tubers can then be stored and grown next spring! Be sure to pinch younger growth to encourage a bushier plant and ultimately create a sturdier plant with more blooms. Remove spent flowers to give nutrients and space for even more blooms to come!
Customer Photos
Cut Dahlias | Dana from Massachusetts
Pink Perfection | Debbie Karnes from Tennessee
Pocket of Seeds Farm | LaManda from Indiana
Worth A Wait | Donna Thomson from California
Daughters first real dinner plate!! | Thomas from Texas
Bouquet of dahlias | Bethany from West Virginia
Lovely Dahlias | Magali Rutschman from New Mexico
Dahlia | Brenda from Ohio
Dahlias | Hannah from Oregon
Dahlias and zinnias | Lauren from New York
Fresh cut dahlias | Lauren from New York
Dahlias | Brittaney Collette from Connecticut
Sky Valley Emory Paul Dahlia & others | Cheryl Beckert from Georgia
White dahlia | Sammi from Georgia
My beautiful Break Out dahlias! | Leslie from Maryland
Dinnerplate dahlia | Nimi Bhagawan from Delaware
Very First Dahlia Bouquet! | Christine Funk from Kansas
Dahlia garden | Donna from North Carolina
Proud Momma of 5ft Tall Dahlias! | Adrienne from Indiana
Dahlia’s at Dawn | Donna from Oregon
Glorious blooms | Amy from New Hampshire
Peach Dahlias | Geri from Missouri
One of my first dahlia cuttings | Jenny from Illinois
Dahlia Daydreams | Susan from Washington
Dahlias | Jane from California
Dahlias in containers | Jane from California
Dahlia flower | Miriam from Ohio
Watermelon dahlia queen of the garden | Jill from North Carolina
Dahlias After Frost | Abby Chandler from Massachusetts
Beautiful Dahlia Sunburst | Antonia Robicheau from California
A Blushing Bouquet! | Ledley from West Virginia
Dahlia Harvest | Jacqueline from North Carolina
Fleurel Dahlia in early June | Jonathan from North Carolina
Dahlia magic hour | Jamie from Oregon
Beautiful dahlia in the morning light | Samantha from Nebraska
Daisy Duke | Jing from Iowa
Dahlia | Rye from Oregon
My dahlias and carnations | Emi from California
First Breakout Dahlia | Afton from Arkansas
Cafe Au Lait Rose | Lesley from Washington
Dahlia and friend | Joy from Utah
Celestial Mix Dahlias | Margaret from Washington
My Dahlias | April from California
Dahlias | Kara from Michigan
Romance Dahlias in the Cottage Garden | Chelsea Davenport from Washington
Veggie basket | Maria from Tennessee
Most unusual | Debra from Oregon
Eden Brother Dahlia | Nicole Roach from California
Eden Brother Dahlia | Nicole from California
Dahlias | Janice Waggoner from Maine
Swing Dance Dahlias Mix | Linda Fisher from Iowa
Cafe Au Lait Dahlia | Courtney Cox from New York
God’s Bouquet | Barbara Wilson from Washington
Cutting Garden Outside my Bedroom | Lyn from Georgia
Dahlia from my Old Rose Mix collection | Alana from New Hampshire
My lovely Dahlia | Joni Brace from California
Dahlia beauty | Nancy from Michigan
Dahlia Mary Evelyn | Nancy from Michigan
First Dahlia Ever | Carol Tyner from Kansas
Dahlias and Zinnias and cousin Lee | Eileen from Louisiana
Hard to resist | Jill from North Carolina
The wonder of flowers | Jill from North Carolina
Dreamy dahlia | Kellee from Washington
Dahlia Delights | Rock from Rhode Island
Watermelon dahlia queen of the garden | Jill from North Carolina
Dahlias | Nikki from North Carolina
Sweet Nathalie Dahlia | Kimberly from California
Rembrandt dahlias | Jessica from Oregon
Adrienne’s Dahlia’s | from Indiana
Dahlia Perfection | Debbie Karnes from Tennessee
My bed of dahlias & gladiolas | Brooks from Washington
Zinnias and dahlias | Rhiannon M Lawson from Virginia
Dahlias | Denise from Michigan
Dahlia Labyrinth | Mary from Pennsylvania
My dahlia | Melany from Virginia
Single dahlia flower | Thu from Iowa
Dahlias | Amanda D Berger from Indiana
Dahlias | Amanda D Berger from Indiana
Dahlias | Amanda Berger from Indiana
Flower Garden Bouquet | Jennifer from North Carolina
Small world pompon | Jenna from California
1st year Dahlias | Jenny from Iowa
Fluerel Dahlia | Heather Dauffenbach from Minnesota
Dahlia | Olga from Illinois
Wonders of Summer | Pamela Wells from West Virginia
Dahlias! | Ashlee from New York
Gorgeous dahlia from Eden Bros! | Stephanie from North Carolina
Am I a florist yet? | Jacqueline Rice from Florida
Gorgeous salmon dahlias | Savannah l from North Carolina
Labor of love | Stephanie from Illinois
My very first dahlia! | Brooke from North Carolina
My ‘Belle’ dahlia | Nancy from Michigan
Dahlia Greatness | Ameera from New York
A Dahlia in the Sun | Amy Weishahn from Nevada
Driving Flowers | danielle from New York
Dahlia Pink and Purple stark | Bob from California
Gang of Dahlias | jessica from Virginia
Sunset Mix Dahlia | Tippi from Connecticut
Cafe Au Lait Dahlia | Jessica from Connecticut
Dahlia Mix Beauty | Hope from Utah