Growing Dahlia Guide

Planting tubers

Select a Suitable Location: Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Dahlias thrive in full sun, so a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.
Prepare the Soil: Dahlias prefer rich, fertile soil. Improve the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to enhance its fertility and drainage. Loose, well-draining soil helps prevent waterlogging around the tubers.
Planting Depth: Plant Dahlia tubers about 10-15cm deep and 40-60cm apart. If you're planting multiple tubers, space them at least 60cm apart to allow for their growth.
Positioning the Tubers: Place the tubers in the planting hole with the 'eye' facing up. The eye is the small bud located on the crown of the tuber from which the stems and leaves will emerge. Cover the tuber with soil, leaving the eye just below the surface.
Watering: After planting, water the area thoroughly to settle the soil and provide initial moisture but do not water again until the green shoot emerges from the ground. Dahlias need consistent watering, so keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season.

Supporting the Plants: Dahlias can grow quite tall and might need support to prevent them from falling over, especially in windy conditions. Install stakes or cages at the time of planting to provide support as the plants grow.

Fertilising: Fertilise your Dahlias with a well-balanced, all-purpose fertiliser during the growing season. Follow the package instructions for application rates. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, as they can encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Mulching: Mulch the area around the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw or compost can be beneficial.

Pinching: Pinch out the top set of leaves when the plants are about 30cm tall. This encourages bushier growth and more blooms. You can also remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.