Have you fallen in love with dahlias?
Tips for turning your garden into a stunner
“Dividing into a single tuber and eye means the dahlia has less competition for food while growing and leads to a more productive plant.”
Amy Rodrigues
In summer, the Dahlia Shed’s Instagram feed kicks off into high bloom.
It’s the season of abundance on the small farm in Middleton, Rhode Island. Set to the backdrop of the sunrise, farmer Amy Rodrigues walks through the field showing row after row of opening blooms in pinks, peaches, red, purples and yellows. There are photographs of the trusty John Deere tractor loaded with buckets of blooms. And then, there’s the self-serve farmstand, filled with single stems and bouquets waiting to grace kitchen tables.
But for a lot of people who fall in love with dahlias, there comes a point where stems in the vase aren’t enough. They want the field – or at least a small garden – of flowers in their own backyard.
And for that, she sells tubers.
How to get started with dahlia flowers?
There are two ways to plant dahlia tubers.
The first way is by seed. It’s cheap, they’re relatively easy to start – Floret Flower Farm, a Washington-based farm that sells dahlia seed blends – recommends starting them inside 4 to 8 weeks before your last frost. There is a surprise to this method that some growers like and others don’t: Dahlia’s don’t grow true to seed, meaning it’s hard to predict what color or shape bloom those seeds will grow into.
The other way solves for that: tubers. Every dahlia plant produces tubers, a thick starchy root underground that can be planted out in the spring. Tubers come back true, and hundreds of varieties – some rare – have been cultivated by growers like Rodrigues. This is how
most growers start their dahlias.
How to buy dahlia tubers
Dahlia tubers can be found for sale at the big box garden centers.
But as they’ve become more popular, people have increasingly turned to small growers like Rodrigues.
There are a few reasons to shop small. One, if you’re looking for one for a particular variety that stunned you, the smaller growers are more likely to have that specific one.
Two, the smaller growers often have higher health standards for their tubers.
“I think growers are careful to purchase tubers from smaller growers as tubers that are flown in typically have had the reputation of carrying virus such as crown gal or leaf gal that is spread during division,” Rodrigues said. “Purchasing from a small grower, that grower has the eye on the tuber versus it being grown and divided in mass quantities.”
Third, there’s a difference in how they are prepared for planting. At the big box stores, most dahlias are sold as tuber clumps, a mass of all the tubers a plant produced last growing season. But any of those tubers with what’s called an eye can be cut off to create a single tuber.
“Dividing into a single tuber and eye means the dahlia has less competition for food while growing and leads to a more productive plant,” Rodrigues said.
What to know when you start planting dahlias
The first thing to know is that it’s addictive. You won’t stop with one.
“Once I started out in dahlias I was hooked,” Rodrigues said. “Adding more and more varieties to the field.”
The second thing to know is that size of the tuber doesn’t matter. As long as it’s in good condition – not rotted, not too dried out, with an intact neck (the skinny part) and one eye – it will grow.
When the soil is over 60 degrees, plant it in a sunny spot, according to Floret Farms, and don’t water until the first green leaves are poking through the soil. When the plant is 12 inches tall, pinch the top four inches off for a bigger plant.
Then when the blooms start around August, just keep picking. The more you pick, the more flowers it will produce.
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Threshold Quick Dry Towel Set
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Keurig K-mini Single-serve Coffee Maker
Coffee lovers are very particular about their brewing machines, and one speed is always of the utmost importance. This
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Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Wood & Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
Sometimes, it’s nice to start with new kitchen accessories when moving into a new home. Every baker needs a good set of measuring cups.
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Amazon Echo Smart Home Hub
Go ahead and ask Alexa anything.
This fourth-edition Amazon Echo is the best smart speaker we tested for how it helps with organization, makes calls, relays sports scores, turns on lights, and more.
Threshold designed with Studio Mcgee Ceramic Slate Bowl
Not only is a decorative bowl a thoughtful gift, but it has many uses. From storing odds and ends to holding your favorite foods, it looks good and serves a helpful purpose.
Opalhouse designed with Jungalow Geometric Decorative Pillow
Looking for an unexpected housewarming gift? Try a decorative pillow. For such a small accessory, they can make a big impact. A geometric pattern with overlapping black and white shapes makes this throw pillow pop against solid colors.
Threshold Wood Serving Board Think of the possibilities – breakfast in bed, passed hors d’oeuvres, lunch on the patio. This wooden serving tray from Threshold is an affordable accessory that looks luxe.
Threshold Welcome To Our Home Doormat
What’s a better housewarming gift than a new welcome mat? It’s the first thing guests see as they walk into the home, and your recipient will never forget the kind gesture.
Opalhouse designed with Jungalow Diamond Pattern Throw Blanket
Gift this diamond-patterned shag blanket from Jungalow to a new homeowner with eclectic taste. Drape it over your couch or fold it at the foot of your bed for a textured look.
Threshold Printed Cotton Dish Towel Set
This two-pack of printed dish towels will brighten up any kitchen and make cleaning up messes a breeze. Their cotton weave texture makes them extra absorbent, making them perfect for cooking, cleaning, and any other kitchen-related tasks.
Threshold Ceramic Jar Three-wick Black Label Olive Leaf and Oud Candle
You can never have too many candles. Whether you put them in the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom, candles add a touch of warm light. This three-wick ceramic jar candle features an olive leaf and oud scent, which features notes of amber, rose, and geranium.
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Brass Pedestal Picture Frame
Frames are a great way to decorate an empty space. If you’re looking for something beautiful and unique, try a pedestal frame like this one. The brushed brass finish gives it an elegant, antique look. Ribbed Glass Vase
Flowers are always a welcomed gift, but if you bring them in a lovely vase, they mean that much more. This textured vase comes in three opaque colors for just the right amount of class.
GE Smart Indoor Security Camera An indoor security camera not only provides added privacy but also peace of mind—now that’s a priceless gift. Use it to check on loved ones and survey your homestead when you are away. Plus, it’s compatible with Alexa and Google Home.
Room Essentials Checkerboard Mug A modern green and white checkerboard motif brings a little flair to your morning cup of coffee or your evening tea. However you use it, this sturdy 16 oz. stoneware mug is great for cold and hot beverages and is dishwasher and microwave-safe.
Brita Water Filter
With a Brita Water Pitcher, you can save money on bottled water and be kinder to the environment. Each pitcher holds six cups of cool, clean, filtered water for cooking or drinking. The patented filtering process is proven to improve the taste of tap water.
Sodastream Terra Sparkling Water Maker
Just as you can save money and reduce plastic with a Brita Filter, you can do the same with a Sodastream. Buying weekly supplies of soda can get costly, and not every can gets recycled. Make bubbly water or flavored sodas on demand with this handy machine that takes up minimal counter space.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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Make an old couch look new again with a geometric throw pillow; this eye-catching welcome mat keeps guests smiling and entryways clean.