Congratulations on your new dahlias! When your box arrives in the spring, your tubers are ready to go. Here is how to give them the best start in your garden.
Receiving Your Tubers
Open your shipping box immediately. Your tubers have been packed in a breathable medium (like wood shavings or vermiculite). If you aren't ready to plant them right away, store them in a cool, dark, dry place (ideally between 40°F and 50°F) until your region's last frost date has passed.
Planting Out
- Timing: Wait until all danger of frost has passed and your soil temperature reaches about 60°F. A good rule of thumb: if it's safe to plant tomatoes in the ground, it's safe to plant your dahlias.
- Location: Pick a spot that gets full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and has well-draining soil. Dahlias hate "wet feet."
- Depth & Spacing: Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches deep. Lay the tuber horizontally at the bottom of the hole, with the "eye" or sprout pointing upward. Space your plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Support: Dahlias can grow quite tall and top-heavy. Place a sturdy stake or support structure in the ground at the time of planting so you don't accidentally pierce the tuber later.
The Golden Rule of Watering
Do not water your tubers immediately after planting. There is enough moisture locked inside the tuber to feed the plant until it wakes up. Watering a dormant tuber in cold, wet soil is the number one cause of rot. Wait to water until you see the green shoots physically poking through the soil surface. Once established, they enjoy a deep watering 2 to 3 times a week.
Summer Care & Blooms
Once the plant is about 12 inches tall, pinch out the center growing tip. This feels counterintuitive, but it forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a bushier plant with significantly more flowers. Expect beautiful blooms from mid-summer all the way until the first hard frost of autumn!
