How to Grow Dahlias

It couldn't be more easy. I promise! We have so much information at our fingertips now, it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole and learn everything there is to know about a new hobby and trick ourselves into thinking it’s much more complicated than it truly is. Soil, sunshine, water. Really. Bury the tuber in soil in a spot that gets plenty of sunshine and water it when the weather is dry. I plant dahlias all over my property. Some places get great sun, some places get so-so sun, some places get watered whenever I have the hose out and some places get neglected. And still, the dahlia blooms.

Your tubers will come with fool proof instructions on how to put them in the soil. (Horizontally) How deep to put them in the soil. (About 5 inches) How far apart to plant each tuber. (About a foot) Where do I put them? (In the sun) Do I need to water these? (Once they start to poke out of the soil, yes.) Those are the basics. If you do just that, and only that, you will grow dahlias! You will watch that little baby get taller and happier and after an excruciating summer of waiting for a bloom, the fruits of your labor will pop as the summer peaks that plant will push out blooms until the first frost.

A single dahlia tuber will give you DOZENS of blooms. That single tuber multiplies underground and gives you 5-10 more tubers by seasons end. You can dig up the tubers after the frost and store and divide them for next season. (Don’t overthink this, it’s easier than it sounds.) This pattern goes on and on until you find yourself with a basement full of tubers and an online business selling your favorite varieties. Dahlias are delightful, they are easy to grow, you can do this.