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General Information
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Plant Care Instruction
- Instructions By Month
- Instructions By Task
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Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
January1. PropagateStart seeds indoors.February1. BuyDahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.2. PropagateStart seeds indoors.March1. BuyDahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.2. PlantPlant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.3. Sow SeedsWhile most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.4. FertilizeUse about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.5. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.6. PruneEspecially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.7. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots. Best if applied just after transplanting. or when the plants begin to grow.8. TransplantTransplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.9. PropagateStart seeds indoors.April1. BuyDahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.2. PlantPlant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.3. Sow SeedsWhile most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.4. FertilizeUse about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.5. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.6. PruneEspecially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.7. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots.8. TransplantTransplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.May1. BuyDahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.2. PlantPlant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.3. Sow SeedsWhile most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.4. FertilizeUse about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.5. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.6. PruneEspecially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.7. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots.8. TransplantTransplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.June1. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.2. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots.July1. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.2. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots.August1. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.2. MulchUse mulch to retain moisture around the roots.September1. WaterDahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.2. PropagateDig tubers after plant has died back for the season. Store in a cool, dry place, divide to individual tubers before planting.October1. PropagateDig tubers after plant has died back for the season. Store in a cool, dry place, divide to individual tubers before planting. -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
February
Dahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.
March
Dahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.
April
Dahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.
May
Dahlia tubers come into the nurseries in the late winter to spring. Buy them when you see the varieties you like.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
March
Plant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.
April
Plant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.
May
Plant when danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. About two weeks prior to planting, prepare soil by digging to about one foot and incorporating organic matter and fertilizer. Insert stakes for tall varieties.
Sow Seeds
When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?
March
While most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.
April
While most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.
May
While most people plant tubers, you can sow seed. Start seeds early indoors. Wait until after danger of frost is past to transplant seedlings in the garden.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
March
Use about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.
April
Use about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.
May
Use about 1/4 cup low nitrogen fertilizer in the planting hole when you put in the plant. As dahlias are grown seasonally, they need to have the fertilizer readily available to the roots.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
March
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
April
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
May
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
June
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
July
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
August
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
September
Dahlias need regular water throughout the growing season.
Prune
When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?
March
Especially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.
April
Especially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.
May
Especially on tall dahlias, thin or pinch back all but the one or two strongest shoots when plant is young for best blossoms.
Mulch
Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?
March
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots. Best if applied just after transplanting. or when the plants begin to grow.
April
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
May
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
June
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
July
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
August
Use mulch to retain moisture around the roots.
Transplant
When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?
March
Transplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.
April
Transplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.
May
Transplant seed grown plants after danger of frost when plant is no less than 4 inches tall.
Propagate
When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?
January
Start seeds indoors.
February
Start seeds indoors.
March
Start seeds indoors.
August
Dig tubers after plant has died back for the season. Store in a cool, dry place, divide to individual tubers before planting.
September
Dig tubers after plant has died back for the season. Store in a cool, dry place, divide to individual tubers before planting.
October
Dig tubers after plant has died back for the season. Store in a cool, dry place, divide to individual tubers before planting.
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