• Storing Your Tubers: You may receive your tubers before your last frost date. Please keep them in the vermiculite bags they come in with the bags cracked open. Keep them in cool dark place that will not get below 40 degrees. 

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• When to Plant: after the threat of frost has passed for your area. Ideal soil temperature needs to 55-60 degrees during the day. I plant all my dahlias the last week of April, weather permitting. Try to plant on a dry day and has a day or so of no rain in the forecast. If you plant too early you risk temperatures being too cold and too much rain.  Too much rain and no warmth will cause your tuber to rot. I get asked a lot about planting in May causing late blooms and slow dahlias. You have to weigh the risk of slow blooms vs. the risk of no blooms and decide for yourself.

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• Where to Plant: dahlias like well drained slightly acidic soil. Ideal soil PH is 6.5 - 7.0. Dahlias don’t like wood chips or bark, they like plain old well-maintained soil. They can grow in clay type soils or sandy loam. They also want lots of sun.  If you are planting multiple in a row, make sure to space them 14-18 inches apart. 

 

• How to Plant: dig a 3-6 inch hole that will accommodate your dahlia tuber. DO NOT water your dahlias at planting 🚫💦 Wait until you have significant sprouts out of the ground before watering. If you live in a hot climate water very sparingly at planting and until you see growth. 

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• Tips & Tricks: Some people like to use bone meal at planting. I found it attracts rodents who then dig up my tubers.  After you plant make sure to use slug bait heavy and consistently. Slugs pose the biggest threat to your dahlias for the first 60 days 🐌 If you have a bunny problem try liquid deer 🦌 and rabbit 🐇 fence. It works well! Deer will not eat your dahlias, but they can trample small plants and cause problems. I spray around my plants about twice a week to keep them away. DO NOT fertilize your dahlias until they are 6 inches tall or larger. Use a well-balanced fertilizer. Check out my Instagram from more tips and tricks as well as how-to videos.