Home » Misc » How deep do you plant dahlias

How deep do you plant dahlias


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!

 

What's Your Planting Zone? | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Know your zone! This is the first step to gardening. By understanding your USDA Hardiness Zone or Canadian Planting Zone, you can choose plants that can survive and grow year after year in your area. We’ll explain what planting zones are all about, how to use this information, and links to the latest maps.

What Are Planting Zones?

Obviously, not every perennial, shrub, or tree grows and thrives in every climate.  When choosing plants for your garden, it’s important to select varieties that can survive and thrive year-round in your area, especially in regions where extreme winter temperatures are normal.   The plant must tolerate year-round conditions, such as the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount of rainfall.

The two most commonly referenced hardiness zone maps are those produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRC). Different measures are used to create each country’s map, as explained below.

Note that planting zones are a guide, not absolute, especially if you live in a microclimate. These are tiny “pockets” which most commonly occur in areas with steep elevation changes, a body of water, or urbanization. They may be warmer or cooler than the surrounding zone. Learn more about microclimates.

Find Your USDA Planting Zone 

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on average annual minimum winter temperatures of each region and divided into thirteen distinct 10ºF zones, which are further divided into sub-zones of 5°F.

Most plants that you buy are marked with a hardiness zone number. The label will identify the zones in the U.S. where the plant can thrive. 

The USDA map is color coded to make it even easier to see where your area falls.  A sample map of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones is below. Click here to go directly to the USDA website and see a map of your state’s zones.

How to Use Your Planting Zone

Planting zones are most useful to gardeners growing perennial plants, since perennials are meant to live beyond just one growing season. Perennials need to be able to survive winter in your area, so it’s important to know how cold it typically gets in your area and whether a particular plant is hardy enough to survive those temperatures. 

Perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees grow best when planted in the appropriate zone. You’ll find that winter damage occurs most often when plants are out of their range or “comfort zone.” When you choose plants for a garden or landscape, avoid selecting plants that are only marginally hardy for your region; that’s when you’ll see winter damage, poor growth, and a reduction in flowering.

Planting native species is a surefire way to achieve a stable garden. Native plants are which occur naturally where you live! So, naturally, they will thrive in their habitat. See our article on natural landscaping.

For annual plants, like most vegetables and some flowers, it’s far more important to pay attention to things like the length of your growing season and the typical dates of your first and last frosts. (See local frost dates here.) Because annuals are only meant to last the length of one growing season, planting zones don’t necessarily factor into the equation.

NRC Canadian Planting Zones Map

Unlike the USDA map, which is based only on minimum winter temperatures, the planting zones map produced by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) considers a wider range of climatic variables, including maximum temperatures and the length of the frost-free period. Because of this, the zones listed in the Canadian and US maps are not on the same scale, so keep that in mind before following one or the other!

NRC also produces a map that shows plant hardiness zones for Canada based on the USDA extreme minimum temperature approach. Click here to see Canadian planting zone maps.

Since some Canadians will buy plants from the U.S., it may also be helpful to understand how to use USDA zones in Canada. As rule of thumb, add one zone to the designated USDA zone. For example, USDA zone 4 is roughly comparable to zone 5 in Canada. If you’re on the fence about a plant, always go one zone higher to be on the safe side and avoid disappointment!

Learn More

Another key part of successful gardening is knowing when your frost dates are. Find your local frost dates here.

What are your thoughts on planting zones? Are they accurate? Let us know in the comments below!

When and how to plant dahlia tubers in the spring of 2022 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 2022
  • Preparation of tubers for landing
  • Preparation of the site
  • to what depth to plant dahlias, photo

When to plant dahlia tubers in 2022

9000

Loarts can be done only after that when the soil warms 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 open ground in spring, you should be guided by the weather:

  1. In the Moscow region, dahlias are planted in the middle or end of May.
  2. In Siberia and the Urals - in late May or early June.
  3. 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 calendar 2022, favorable days in spring and summer for planting dahlia tubers:

  • 3, 11-13, 16-17, 21-26, 29-30 March;
  • April 8-9, 13-14, 17-22, April 26-27;
  • 5-7, 10-11, 15, 17-20, 23-24, 27-29 May;
  • 1-3, 6-8, 11-13, 15-16, 19-20, 24-25 June.

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:

  1. 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.

    The photo shows the division of dahlia tubers

  2. 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. Trim dry parts of tuber

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.

How deep to plant dahlias, photo


Planting depth depends on whether or not there are sprouts on the rhizomes and what size they are.

After the holes are prepared, tubers are placed in them, the growing point of which should be on top. Planting depth depending on the stage of development of tubers:

  • If there are no sprouts, but only buds are pecked, 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 the sprouts have grown large on your tubers, they are buried to the first true leaf.

  • Fill the holes with soil carefully so as not to damage the seedlings.

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 top of the small sprout was outside, and the roots were covered with soil;
  • the 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!

When and how to plant dahlia tubers outdoors

If the rose is considered the "Queen" of flowers in many countries, then the dahlia is without a doubt their "King". Very few ornamental plants can boast such a wealth of shapes, sizes and colors!

In addition, the dahlia is very unpretentious. Content with the most minimal care, he pleases the gardener with his bright, lush flowering from early July until late autumn.

About the history of the dahlia, how to care for it, how to dig it up and store it in the winter, we have already told in our article: "How to grow dahlias."

In this article we will tell you when and how to plant dahlias in spring. In addition, we will tell you the best varieties of the numerous species of this regal flower.

COMMON TYPES OF DAHALHINS FOR THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL REGIONS

The timing of planting and preparation of dahlia tubers depend on their type. Most often, Russian gardeners choose the following:

Large-flowered. In height they grow up to 80 cm, and the diameter of the flowers of the newest varieties can reach 30 cm!

Decorative . These are large bushes up to 1 m high with numerous flowers up to 25 cm in diameter. This species is distinguished by the richest palette of colors and variety of forms.

Cactus . The tallest bushes - can grow up to 1.5 m. Flowers with a diameter of up to 20 cm are distinguished by the most bizarre shapes and unusual colors.

Pompoms . Plant height - 80 - 90 cm, diameter of flowers - up to 15 cm. Flowers of bright, saturated colors look like mesh balls. They look very beautiful and last a long time in a vase after cutting.

Semi-cactus . Tall, sprawling bushes (up to 1.2 m) are covered with holly, bright flowers, up to 18 cm in diameter and a variety of one-, two- and three-color colors.

Miniature . The most elegant dahlias, up to 40 cm high, are literally strewn with large flowers, up to 15 cm in diameter. They bloom earlier than others and do not crumble during the first winter frosts.

WHEN TO PLANT DAHALAHS

Planting time for dahlias depends on the region where you live. The main condition is that the earth should warm up well, because the plant is a tuberous plant.

In the Middle lane, North-West region, dahlias are planted in the third decade of May. If the spring turned out to be early and warm, then it can be a week earlier. However, when return frosts appear, a flower bed with dahlias should be covered with a non-woven covering material.

If you come to the dacha only on weekends, then it is better to move the planting date to June 25-27. After May 25, spring frosts usually stop.

In the Urals and Siberia, the spring is later and more humid. Therefore, dahlias are planted there in late June - early July. And it’s better to first germinate them in a pot, and plant the seedlings in a permanent place after July 10.

In the southern regions of the country, dahlias are usually planted in April, as the land there quickly dries up and loses moisture. Therefore, it is impossible to be late with the deadlines.

All varieties of dahlias that tolerate cold climates will grow well in the south. This is a versatile and very unpretentious flower.

HOW TO PLANT DAHALHINS FOR EARLY FLOWERING

If you bought the tubers in March-April, you can germinate them in advance and get early lush blooms. To do this, fill some container (box or basin) with a moist substrate, consisting of purchased soil for flower seedlings, sand and sawdust in equal amounts.

Make drainage holes in the container to drain excess water and build some kind of drip tray.

Wet the substrate well and place the dahlia tubers in it, sprinkling them with a 10 cm layer of soil. Place the container in a warm place and cover with a transparent film on top.

The plants will grow very soon. After the first shoots appear, move the box to the window. Water your plants regularly. At the end of May, transplant them into a flower bed.

This planting of germinated dahlias will ensure that they bloom 2 to 3 weeks earlier.

PREPARING DAHALH TUBERS FOR SPRING PLANTING

All gardeners know how to plant dahlias, but not everyone correctly understands how to prepare them for this operation.

Before planting, we recommend treating even healthy tubers in three different solutions, dipping them there sequentially and holding for 30 minutes.

First, treat the dahlias with a pink solution of potassium permanganate, then with Fitosporin M, and finally, dip them into the Zircon solution.

The first two preparations will disinfect the tubers from any bacteria and pathogens of fungal diseases. The third - will accelerate the process of germination of sprouts on the tuber.

Then place the tubers on a dry, clean cloth or paper and let dry. After that, you can start landing.

HOW TO PLANT DAHALAHS

Dahlias like quiet, sunny places with light shade during the midday hours, well protected from wind and drafts. But if the plants are exposed to the sun less than 6 hours a day, then they may not form buds.

Dahlias prefer loose, fertile soils with a neutral reaction. It is better to choose “native” soil from the planting pits and fill them with a soil mixture composed of a fertile layer, compost, sand and leafy soil.

Add phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, wood ash (1 bucket for 4 plants) and a glass of dolomite flour (in acidic soils) to each hole.

Dig planting holes with a depth equal to the diameter of the bulb plus 10 cm. Of these, 5 cm is a drainage layer of coarse sand or perlite, which is laid on the bottom of the hole.

Distances between plants depend on the species and variety. Low-growing dahlias are planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other, tall ones - 70 cm.

Mulch the flower bed well with sawdust or freshly cut grass. The mulch will retain moisture in the soil and discourage weed growth.

For more information on how to care for dahlias, when and how to dig them up and store them, see our aforementioned article How to Grow Dahlias.

THE BEST DAHELHIN VARIETIES FROM OUR COLLECTION

Now that we have told you in detail when and how to plant dahlias, it remains to choose the most beautiful types and varieties. We can help you with this.

We offer you the best and most popular varieties of dahlias from our collection.

LARGEFLOWERS:

Latest: Avignon, Sir Alf Ramsey, Arthur Humbley, Almond Joy, Big Brother.

Our collection: Vancouver, Flood Light, Sensation by Otto, Fleur, Spartacus.

DECORATIVE: Passionate, Mero Constellation, Gypsy Girl, Tartan, Cream Peach.

Learn more