How to Plant and Care for Dahlias
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Dahlias are easy-care plants that bloom prolifically, giving the summer garden the boost it needs mid-summer when other flowers begin to fade. The blooms will keep going well into late fall, making this one of the most valuable plants for color! And if you're supporting a pollinator habitat, dahlias are the way to go: bees love go crazy for them!
GET YOUR DAHLIAS INTO THE GROUND
Plant your dahlias in full sun, using soil that drains well. Avoid clay or any soil that clumps when wet.
Give them plant of room to grow. Allow 6-12 inches between plants. Dahlias don't like to share space (kind of like teenagers).
Avoid flopping dahlias: stake your plants to support blooming stalks. The best time to do this is when they get to be about 7-12 inches tall.
WATER, FEED, AND DEADHEAD YOUR DAHLIAS
Water deeply on a weekly basis. Wait until the top inch of soil is dry before the next watering. Don't overwater your dahlias! The tubers will rot if they receive too much moisture.
During the growing season, feed them weekly. Flower or tomato fertilizer (such as 5-10-10 or 10-15-10) work great.
Deadhead for continuous bloom. Remove spent flowers by following the flower stalk to the end, just before the joint. Cut the stem here. Remove any dead leaves at the bottom of the plant.
PREPARE FOR THE END OF THE SEASON
By August, slow down or stop feeding your dahlias altogether. Be sure to add soil if the top of the roots are exposed.
At the end of the growing season when your dahlias are getting ready to go dormant you can choose to leave your dahlia tubers (their "bulbs") in the ground or store them in a cool dry place over the winter. Many gardeners make their decision based on their microclimate and level of rain they expect.