When to Plant:

• After the last frost in your area.

• Soil should be around 15°C or warmer.

What you’ll need

• Garden spade

• Dahlia tubers

• Compost or well-rotted manure (optional)

• Mulch (optional)

• Stakes (for tall varieties)

Where to Plant:

• Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day).

• Soil: Well-drained, loose, and fertile. Avoid soggy areas.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep the Soil:

   • Loosen the soil to about 30cm deep.

   • Mix in compost if the soil is heavy or poor.

2. Dig a Hole:

   • About 15cm deep and wide enough to spread the tuber out without cramping.

3. Place the Tuber:

   • Lay it horizontally with the “eye” (small bump where the sprout will grow) facing up.

   • The eye is usually at the “crown” or where the tubers meet.

4. Cover:

   • Backfill the hole with soil, covering the tuber by about 10cm.

5. Spacing:

   • Home gardens 40-80cm apart.

   • Commercial 30-40cm apart.

6. Watering:

   • Don’t water right away—wait until you see growth above the soil.

   • After that, water deeply a couple times a week, depending on the weather.

7. Staking (if needed):

   • Insert a sturdy stake next to the tuber when planting, so you don’t damage it later.

   • Tie the plant gently as it grows.

8. Mulch (optional):

   • Apply a light layer once plants are established to retain moisture and control weeds.

9. Bonus Tips:

   • Pinching: When plants reach about 30cm tall, pinch out the growing tip to encourage bushier growth.

   • Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to keep flowers coming.

   • Feeding: Fertilise every few weeks with a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

   • Pest & Disease Watch:

     • Watch for slugs/snails (especially early on), aphids, or mildew - spray with a pesticide if required.

     • Good airflow and spacing help prevent disease.

DIGGING & DIVIDING

DAHLIA TUBERS

When to Dig Up Dahlia Tubers:

• After the first frost has blackened the foliage.

• Wait a few days for the sugars to return to the tubers, but don’t leave them in soggy soil too long.

• If you don’t get frosts, wait until the leaves have turned yellow or died back naturally.

  How to Dig Up Dahlia Tubers:

  1. Cut Back the Stems:

     • Chop them to about 10-15cm tall.

     • Label the variety if you care about names/colors.

  2. Gently Loosen the Soil:

     • Use a garden fork, starting 30-40cm from the stem to avoid damaging the tubers.

     • Carefully lift the entire clump out.

  3. Shake Off Soil & Rinse:

     • Let them dry slightly so the soil crumbles off.

     • Rinse gently with a hose if needed to see the structure.

     • If you don’t plan on dividing them until spring you can store them with the dirt still on.

  4. Dry Before Dividing:

     • Let them air-dry in a cool, dry, shaded spot for 1-2 days.

     • This makes them easier to handle and helps prevent rot.

How to Divide Dahlia Tubers:

Here’s where it gets real!

1. Find the “Crown”:

   • That’s where all the tubers meet the old stem.

   • Look for "eyes" (tiny bumps or buds) near the crown—each division must have at least one eye to grow!

2. Cut with Clean Tools:

   • Use a sharp knife or pruners (sterilized with rubbing alcohol).

   • Slice through the crown to separate tubers with eyes.

3. Toss Any Bad Ones:

   • Discard tubers that are:

     • Mushy

     • Shriveled

     • Broken off with no crown or eye

4. Optional – Dust with Sulfur:

   • You can dust the cut ends with sulfur powder to prevent rot.

How to Store Them (Post-Division):

1. Cure for 1–3 Days:

   • Store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sun.

2. Pack for Storage:

   • Use vermiculite, wood shavings, or sand.

   • Layer tubers in a cardboard box or paper bag—make sure they’re not touching.

3. Store Cool & Dark:

   • Ideal temp: (4–10°C)

   • A basement, garage, or spare fridge works.

4. Check Monthly:

   • Toss any that rot or shrivel.

   • Lightly mist if they seem too dry.