Why We Love Dahlias

Dahlias are the showstoppers of the cutting garden. They bloom from midsummer through the first frost, producing an almost absurd number of flowers in every color imaginable — except blue. On our farm, we grow over 50 varieties, from dinnerplate-sized 'Café au Lait' to the tight pompom blooms of 'Wizard of Oz'.

If you've never grown dahlias before, don't be intimidated. They're one of the most rewarding flowers you can grow, and the tubers we sell are the same ones we plant in our own fields every spring.

When to Plant

In Georgia (Zone 7b–8a), we plant dahlia tubers in mid-April to early May, after the last frost date has passed and soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F. Planting too early in cold, wet soil is the number one cause of tuber rot.

If you can walk barefoot on the soil comfortably, it's warm enough for dahlias.

We typically start planting the week after Tax Day and finish by Mother's Day. This gives us blooms from early July through November.

Step 1: Choose Your Spot

Dahlias need full sun — at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They also need well-drained soil. If your garden holds water after rain, either amend with compost and perlite or plant in raised beds.

Avoid planting near large trees or buildings that cast afternoon shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade is acceptable, but full sun produces the strongest stems and most vibrant colors.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil

We amend our dahlia beds with:

  • 2-3 inches of finished compost worked into the top 12 inches
  • A balanced granular fertilizer (we use 10-10-10) at planting time
  • A handful of bone meal in each planting hole for root development

Dahlias are heavy feeders, so don't skimp on soil preparation. Good soil = bigger blooms.

Step 3: Plant the Tubers

Dig a hole about 6 inches deep. Lay the tuber horizontally with the eye (growing point) facing up. The eye is the small bump where the tuber meets the old stem — that's where the new plant will sprout.

Do not water at planting. This is the most common mistake new dahlia growers make. The tuber has enough stored energy and moisture to begin growing. Watering too early promotes rot. Wait until you see green growth above the soil (usually 2-3 weeks), then begin watering regularly.

Space tubers 18-24 inches apart for standard varieties, 12-15 inches for smaller types.

Step 4: Stake at Planting Time

This is critical — stake when you plant, not after the plant is 4 feet tall and flopping over. We use 5-foot bamboo stakes or metal T-posts next to each tuber. As the plant grows, tie it to the stake with soft twine every 12-18 inches.

Step 5: Pinch for More Blooms

When your dahlia plant reaches about 12 inches tall with 4 sets of leaves, pinch out the center growing tip. This encourages the plant to branch, producing 3-4x more flowering stems than an unpinched plant. Yes, it feels wrong to cut off a perfectly healthy growing tip. Do it anyway.

Step 6: Water and Feed

Once dahlias are growing, they want deep watering 2-3 times per week (not daily shallow watering). We use drip irrigation on timers. Overhead watering promotes powdery mildew, so try to keep foliage dry.

Beginning in July, we switch to a high-phosphorus fertilizer (like 5-10-10) every two weeks to promote blooming over leafy growth.

Step 7: Harvest and Enjoy

Cut dahlias when blooms are 75% open — they don't continue opening once cut. Harvest in the morning or evening, and immediately place stems in cool water. Strip all leaves that would be below the waterline.

With regular cutting, each plant will produce 20-40+ stems over the season. The more you cut, the more they bloom — it's like the plant is daring you to keep going.

Dahlias are the one flower that rewards you for being greedy. The more you pick, the more they give.

Our Favorite Varieties for Beginners

  • Café au Lait — The classic creamy peachy-pink dinnerplate. Impossible to grow just one.
  • Labyrinth — Bronze-gold with incredible texture. A florist favorite.
  • Jowey Winnie — Compact, prolific, and absolutely covered in blooms.
  • Thomas Edison — Deep purple dinnerplate. Dramatic and reliable.
  • Cornel Bronze — Warm bronze tones that look stunning in autumn arrangements.

All of these varieties (and more) are available in our seed and tuber shop while supplies last.