Garden Time Dahlia

Overwintering dahlias the time to dig up and protect dahlia tubers is after frosts have begun not before.

Garden time dahlia. According to frances palmer well known potter and dahlia enthusiast a good planting time for tubers is may. Grow them as part of a late summer planting scheme or as a cut flower. Plant the tubers in a pot of well drained potting soil about six weeks before the last frost.

If you purchase them as bare root tubers start them indoors early in the spring for a head start on the growing season. An outstanding choice for cutting and garden color. Dahlias grow equally well in the ground or containers.

In the majority of the country dahlias must be planted each spring and then cut back and dug each fall after the first killing frost. Dahlias are loved for their long flowering season which often lasts until the first frosts and come in a huge variety of flower colour and shapes. Prolific bloomer with dark stems lacy foliage and excellent growth habit on this 4 tall plant.

The tubers can grow a lot in autumn and aren t damaged by light frosts so bringing them in too early can reduce next year s display. In containers lay tubers on their sides with the stems up and cover with 2 inches of soil. Growing requirements of dahlia plants dahlias are summer blooming tubers that are generally only hardy in usda zones 7 11.

How to grow dahlias dahlias require a fertile moist but well drained soil and a sunny sheltered spot. Place growing cages tomato cages work well in the soil and drive in 2 3 stakes adjacent to them for support. In many respects dahlia culture is similar to tomato culture if you can grow tomatoes in your garden you can successfully grow dahlias.

Dahlias are easy plants to grow and yield beautiful blooms from mid summer through fall. Generally you ll plant dahlias outside around the same time you plant tomatoes. If that s not until late may or early june where you live you can start dahlias indoors 4 6 weeks before your last frost date.