Dahlias planting depth
How to Plant Dahlia Bulbs in Your Garden
Wondering how to plant dahlia tubers? Good news! Planting dahlia bulbs is simple, yet rewarding.
Easy-to-grow dahlia flowers bloom year after year, filling your landscape with stunning color and texture. These beautiful flowers grow in a rainbow of hues and wide variety of shapes that transform your garden from mid-summer through autumn.
Best of all, planting dahlia bulbs is easy. Read on to learn everything you need to know about planting dahlia tubers.
How to Plant Dahlia Tubers in Your Garden
Let's start with timing, as you may be wondering when to plant dahlia bulbs. The best time to plant dahlia tubers is in the spring, after the danger of the last frost has passed.
In many regions, the perfect time to plant dahlia bulbs falls between mid-April and early June. You can check your region's specific last frost date to be sure. As a general rule, stop planting dahlia tubers after mid-June.
When you plant dahlia bulbs, the ground temperature should be at least 60 degrees F. Dahlia tubers don't like cold soil, so planting them too early means they may struggle to grow.
Once you've determined that the soil is warm enough, loosen the soil in your planting site. If the soil is heavy or clay, amend it with sand, aged manure or peat moss. This will help lighten the soil, so it can drain properly.
Now that the soil is prepared, it's time to dig holes for your dahlia. How deep should you plant dahlias? Dig holes in the soil about four to five inches deep.
Place the tubers in the hole with the points (or eyes) facing up. Cover the tubers with 1 to 3 inches of soil. As the tubers sprout, you can continue adding soil up to ground level.
Don't water the tubers when you plant them, unless it's very hot and dry. Wait until you can see sprouts above the soil surface before watering. You don't need to fertilize when planting tubers, either.
Do You Soak Dahlia Tubers Before Planting?
Generally, dahlia tubers do not need to soak before planting.
However, if they appear dried out and shriveled, you may want to soak them in a bucket of tepid water for one hour before planting.
Where Should I Plant Dahlias?
Choosing the right site for dahlia tubers will help flowers bloom and thrive. Dahlias grow in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10. As plants can grow to be several feet tall, select a planting spot that offers protection from the wind.
Start with the soil. Dahlias prefer rich, well-drained, loosened soil. Aim for a slightly acidic pH level of around 6.5 to 7.
Be sure to choose a site with optimal sun exposure. Dahlia flowers grow best when they receive at least six to eight hours of sun per day. Morning exposure is best, so pick a site with full sun exposure for the brightest blooms on your plants.
Can I Plant Multiple Dahlias in One Area?
Planting multiple dahlias in one area creates a beautiful floral display of blooms from mid-summer though fall. If you're growing large dahlia plants or growing dahlias for cut flowers, you may want to set aside a dedicated area of your garden just for dahlias.
This reduces competition from other landscape plants. However, smaller dahlias can be grown in borders and mixed in with other flowering plants.
Either way, provide dahlias with enough space when planting dahlia bulbs. Leave at least 1 to 2 feet between each small dahlia plant, and at least 3 feet between each large dahlia plant.
Starting Dahlias in Pots
If you want to get a head start on your dahlias, plant bulbs indoors in pots. Start planting about a month before outdoor planting time.
Choose large containers so your dahlias have plenty of room to grow. Fill containers with rich soil amended with compost.
The planting method is the same; dig a hole in the soil about four to five inches deep. Place the dahlia tubers in the holes with eyes up, and cover with a few inches of soil.
You'll see sprouts within a few weeks. The plants should be ready to go into the ground after the danger of the last frost has passed, giving you a great start on your summer blooms.
Planting dahlia tubers is as simple as it is rewarding. These easy-to-grow plants offer a profusion of colorful blooms and late-summer garden interest.
When, Where, and How Deep – Brent & Becky's
While they may not be my favorite plants, dahlias are certainly pretty high on the list, right behind daffodils, lilies, and chamillias. They’re undeniably beautiful, they’re great for sharing, and they come in a rainbow of colors - of course, with the exception of blue, like tulips. They’re also fairly easy to care for, making them an excellent addition for any spring garden.
How to Plant Dahlia Tubers
We think of dahlias as grown from tubers, like potatoes, but they’re not really. They’re actually grown from tuberous roots. Unlike tubers, which are made up of stem tissue, tuberous roots are made up of actual root tissue that is slightly larger so they can store more nutrients.
Many of the vendors who sell dahlias in this country ship out a single tuberous root with an eye where it was attached to the old stem.
These are fine, and still develop a plant, but they typically don’t develop as many blooms and bloom stalks. Instead, we send out whole clusters of tuberous roots so you can have a really neat plant with a lot of blooms to enjoy all season long, and planting them is simple.
When to Plant Dahlias
Dahlias are very frost-sensitive and cannot take freezing temperatures. So, in order to avoid any accidental nips of cold in the southeast, we recommend waiting until the soil warms up above 60℉. This gives them plenty of wiggle room with the weather to ensure they are still cool enough without accidentally taking a polar plunge.
In the cooler climates to the north, we recommend giving your dahlias a 2-3 week head start inside. Simply place your dahlia roots on a seedling heat mat at 70℉ and transfer outside once the temperatures are optimal for planting.
Where to Plant Dahlias
Dahlias are sun-lovers and should be planted in full sun in a good, coarse mix that drains well, like a composted media or a bark and peat mix.
Most people don’t realize that plant leaves are solar collectors that charge the batteries of the plant to keep them alive. Although there are some plants the good Lord created that have bigger leaves that will get more light in shade, most - including dahlias - need a regular recharge of sun to keep them going. In the hottest parts of the country, though, some part shade may be good to protect them from the harsh afternoon heat.
How Deep to Plant Dahlias
While many bulbs are planted at a regular depth of 3-4 inches deep, dahlias should only be buried deep enough that the old stem is right at soil level. The tuberous root cluster should be buried, but the old stem should be sticking out - as that is where it will sprout from.
Caring for Dahlias
Dahlias bloom best when the nights are cool in May and June - and the blooms we get then are absolutely glorious. But by the time the night gets hot in July, the blooming tapers off and they don’t bloom nearly as much.
We keep them watered throughout the summer with drip irrigation, but not too much. They’re plants that like adequate moisture, but don’t like to be left standing in old water. However, if they’re well-kept through to the end of August, by September you’ll notice really nice, new growth once again. As the nights cool off, their glorious blooms return once more and will last until frost - so we’re always hopeful for a late frost.
A very important thing to note is that dahlias are “cut and come again” plants. The more you take off the old blooms - in particular, those that are spent - the longer they will bloom! If you let them get pollinated and they go to seed, they will stop blooming, so deadheading your old dahlias is key.
Are Dahlias Perennial Plants?
Dahlias are what we refer to as “temperennials” - or temporary perennials - for most climates. Being from the mountains of the southwest and Mexico, they come from somewhat warmer environments but grow in the cooler temperatures of the high mountains.
So while they can tolerate the brisk weather of the spring and thrive in it, they are still too tender to last the winter in the garden in zones below 7 - and even those in zone 7 will need a good protective layer of mulch. However, if overwintered indoors, dahlias can easily be saved to grow again next season.
Digging Up Dahlias for Winter?
After about a week in the frost, which browns the foliage, go out and gently lift the tuberous dahlia roots with a gardening fork or spade, leaving plenty of room beside them. Once lifted, shake some of the soil off and let them dry in the sun for an hour or so and then in the shade with a fan on them.
One thing you never want to do is wash them. Unless they’re handled extremely gently, washing the roots introduces fungi and bruises that does them in. Instead, store them in sand or wood shavings with a little soil on them. Soil is filled with wonderful bacteria and fungi that take care of any bad guys coming for your dahlias, and the light media will keep them from drying out too much.
Dahlias are a captivating treat that dazzle in any garden from spring until fall, but they also make fantastic cut flowers. They’re long-lasting in an arrangement, so they’re great for making bouquets. I make a lot of arrangements with these and every time I take them to my dinner hostess, we get invited back the next week or so. They just make people smile, so spread the joy - not only in your garden, but in your life as well!
When and how to plant dahlia tubers in the spring of 2023 step by step with a photo, planting dates by region
Dahlias are very popular with gardeners and in many areas you can see large flower beds with these beautiful flowers. However, it is not always possible to wait for them to bloom. This is explained by errors in the storage of tubers, as well as non-compliance with the terms and rules when planting them. When and how correctly, to what depth to plant dahlias with tubers in the spring is the topic of our article.
Content of article
- When to plant dahlia tubers in spring in 2023 and the timing of their planting in open ground
- Preparing tubers for planting
- Preparing the site
- How deep and how to plant dahlia tubers step by step with a photo in 2023 and the timing of their planting in open ground
Tubers can only be planted after the soil has warmed up to +10 degrees. Such soil temperature should not be on the surface of the soil, but at the depth of the dug hole. Cold ground will cause tubers to be affected by fungal diseases.
Since the climate in each region is different, when planting dahlia tubers in spring in open ground, you should be guided by the weather:
- In the Moscow region , dahlias are planted in the middle or end of May.
- In Siberia and the Urals - in late May or early June.
- In the south of the country warm days and nights are already in the middle of spring, so tubers can be planted in April.
According to the Lunar Planting Calendar, in 2023, favorable days in spring and summer for planting dahlia tubers are as follows:
- 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 28 after 13:25, 29, 30 March;
- 2 from 13:56, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 to 13:16, 25, 26, 27 to 9:31, 30 April;
- 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 May;
- 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 to 11:32, 9 from 13:12, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23 from 13:14, 24, 25, 28 from 11 :54 June.
Moscow time indicated next to the dates in the boarding calendar.
Preparing tubers for planting
If before sprouting you did not separate large tubers and cut off everything dry from them, you need to prepare dahlias before planting in spring:- Do not plant large roots, otherwise the dahlia will become smaller. Planting material should be divided into two or three parts.
Divide with a large sharp knife or spade. - In order to eliminate the threat of fungal diseases and provide nutrition at the initial stage, all dry and deformed parts of the tubers should be cut off before planting. This procedure is best done in autumn or spring before germination.
Small rhizomes with healthy parts ready for planting.
How to properly prepare dahlia tubers for planting and divide them, read Here.
Site preparation
Dahlia tubers should be planted in loose nutrient soil, in which holes are dug beforehand. Details:- dig the soil;
- dig holes 10-15 cm deep;
- the distance between the bows must be at least half a metre;
- add a little Nitroammophoska granules or ½ tsp to each well. potassium nitrate.
When the tubers and holes in the flower bed are prepared, you can start planting.
At what depth and how to plant dahlia tubers step by step with photo
Please note that the depth of planting dahlia tubers in open ground depends on whether there are sprouts on the rhizomes or not and what size they are .
After the holes are prepared, tubers are placed in them, the growing point of which should be on top.
Now let's figure out how to properly plant tuber dahlias, depending on whether you germinated them at home or not;
- If there are no sprouts, but only buds, cover the tubers completely with earth .
- Leave a small seedling on the surface . That is, we fall asleep the tuber itself, and leave the top of the sprout.
- And if on your tubers the sprouts have grown large, they are deepened to the first true leaf.
- Fill the holes with soil carefully so as not to damage the sprouts.
Do not forget to water the dahlia tubers planted in dry soil. After watering, the soil will settle, so you will need to add more soil. At the same time, it should be ensured that:
- tubers with buds are covered with a 10 cm layer of earth;
- the tip of the small sprout was outside, and the roots were covered with soil;
- a large sprout has been buried to the first true leaf.
The filled hole with plantings should be just below the surface of the site so that after watering the water does not spread, but remains in it.
Dahlias need to be hilled as they grow. Hilling up to the second or third internode is necessary in order for the plant to be more stable and new tubers to grow on it.
Proper planting of dahlias in spring in warm soil is a guarantee of rapid development of plants and their abundant flowering. Beautiful flower beds to you!
Planting dahlias
Planting dates. The choice of the most favorable planting dates depends on the climatic conditions, the place of growth of dahlias. These terms and those goals that the gardener pursues with the culture of dahlias also influence. If dahlias are grown in a small garden only as ornamental plants, then they can be planted immediately after the danger of frost has passed.
To obtain the best selected flowers, planting should not be too early, especially in more southern areas (southern Ukraine, Crimea, Caucasus), since plants with such planting (tubers or cuttings) by September remain without large beautiful flowers, they already gave the best they had.
Dahlias planted in early May will usually be fully developed by July when the weather is at its driest. Captured by drought, they begin to coarsen, give short stems and roll up foliage. In plants of later planting dates, by the hot period of summer, increased growth is just beginning, they tolerate heat more easily and continue their normal development.
But too late planting is wrong, because late dahlias do not produce well-ripened, durable tubers.
If the grower is working with cuttings, he must relate the timing of planting to the condition of the planting material. When planting cuttings, it is always necessary to pay attention to its readiness for this operation.
As we have already said, the culture of dahlias should be carried out in such a way that the plants grow and develop continuously. If we can prevent stunting during the hot and dry period of July and early August, we will be rewarded with beautiful flowers when the cooler nights of the second half of August and September arrive.
Landing distance. If there is a designated area for dahlias, the plants should be planted 1.2 x 1.2 m apart.
In a single row, for example, in garden beds, dahlias are planted at a distance of 0.75 to 0.90 m. Such a row should not be placed too close to other flowering plants.
Staking. Bush tie stakes should be placed before planting. It is much more convenient to do this on an unoccupied site than after landing. It is better to prepare painted stakes, they are more beautiful and much stronger. Pointed stakes should be placed in holes punched with a crowbar, and not just driven in with an ax.
Planting technique. To plant a tuber, a wide hole is dug at least 15 cm deep and the tuber is placed in it on its side, with the eye or bud up, and with the root neck closer to the stake, but without touching it. After that, carefully cover the tuber with earth, slightly compacting it. It is better not to immediately fill the hole with earth to the top.
The tuber is more likely to grow if the hole is only half filled. With subsequent tillage, the earth will gradually fill the entire hole. Very dry and even slightly shriveled tubers should be briefly immersed in a bucket of water before planting.
Planting of cuttings is carried out in the same way, i.e. stakes are placed first, etc. The depth of the hole should be at least 15 cm, and the width should be greater than the diameter of the pot in which the plant was located, since with such dimensions of the hole, it is possible to properly compress the earth around the clod. If the lump is dry before planting, it should also be dipped in water.
It is necessary to lower the lump into the hole to such a depth that at least the first node that was above ground level in the pot is covered with earth after leveling the surface of the hole. When planting a good squat plant with short internodes, you only need to lower the clod into the ground, compress it and, as the seedling grows further, gradually fill the hole with earth.
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