Dahlias can be started indoors in individual pots with damp peat moss and vermiculite. Care must be taken in transplanting them outdoors.
Plant dahlias outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Choose a sunny site with well-drained, sandy soil.
Dig soil to a depth of 12″. Amend soil with peat moss or compost.
Replace about half the soil, then place tubers flat and cover with remaining soil.
Space tubers 12-36″ apart depending on variety.
Water after planting and not again until shoots appear.
As plants grow, increase watering. Fertilize sparingly.
Pinch and disbud dahlias for later and larger flowers.
Buds tend to grow in threes; two-sided ones should carefully be pinched to develop the central bloom. This is especially important with border or pot plant dahlias.
If the plants are not pinched back, they will not retain their low, compact size and will need staked
In areas with winter freeze, carefully dig the tubers in fall after the first frost kills the foliage.
Cut the stalk approximately 3″ above the tuber.
Allow tubers to dry thoroughly. Pack them carefully in dry sand, peat moss, or sawdust and store in a cool (40-45°F) dry place. Leave 1″ of stalk attached to each tuber which must have an eye or bud to bloom.
