It’s dahlia planting season so we asked our friends Sarah and Steve Pabody, owners of Triple Wren Farms, what you need to know to help these beautiful blooms thrive in your garden. If anyone knows how to make dahlias flourish, it’s them…right before our call they had just sold 33,000 tubers in 2 hours!
Let’s dig in!
Where Are Their Roots?
If you’re a novice, it’s important to know that these flowers are from the Central American mountains. Dahlias like hot days and cool nights and they thrive when they’re hot above the soil but their roots are cool and dry.
Sarah and Steve recommend that if you’re just learning how to grow dahlias, consider trying 2 tubers of a few varieties so you can see how they like your soil/sunlight. This will also help you learn which type you like best.
Laying a Good Foundation
Before you prepare your soil for planting, make sure that you are safely outside of any chance of frost and the area you are selecting gets plenty of sunlight. You can search online by your zip code to see your average last frost date to be sure you’re in the clear.
To prep the ground, till the soil. If your soil tends to hold water, Sarah and Steve suggest adding some sand to your soil to help encourage better drainage. The Honda FG110 is a great little powerhouse if you need a reliable, easy to use tiller for smaller garden projects it can help you amend and prep your beds so you start with a good base
When you’re planting your tubers, dig 3-inch-deep holes and space them 12 to 18 inches apart. Recognize that we all need a little support as we grow, and dahlias are no exception! Right before you cover your tubers with soil, mix in some nourishing bone meal and then insert a sturdy support stake so that you don’t have to go back and add one later as your plant matures. After you cover the area, use a good compost to top dress your garden.
Once you’ve got your tubers nestled in sunny spots with their stakes and nutrient-rich soil, leave them alone. DO NOT water until you see green growth. A very common blunder growers make is overwatering. Again, think of the Central American mountains: cool nights, hot days and more porous soil. If your soil isn’t able to properly drain, you might find yourself with shoots that are weak and flowerless…and no one wants that!
More Blooms!
Now, the reason we’re here: the blooms! While not necessary, you can stimulate your dahlias to produce 2 to 3 times more blooms by pinching (cutting off) the main bud on the central stem near the top. It’s best to do this once the plant is somewhere between 12-16” tall and has more than 4 sets of leaves on the central stalk. Pinching redirects energy causing the plant to branch, which is how you get a lot more blooms!
Deadheading is another way to stimulate blooms and strengthen your plant, but you don’t want to just cut the dead head off. Interestingly, Triple Wren Farms suggests cutting 14 to 16 inches down the stem close to the next branch similar to how you’d harvest blooms for bunches and bouquets. This deadheading method helps redirect the plant’s energy on new growth. In fact, this technique enables Triple Wren Farms to get as many as 40 blooms per plant each year!
Making Cut Dahlias Last
If you want to enjoy your blooms in bouquets or arrangements, the key is to cut them in the morning, just after the plants have been well watered. Then, store your dahlias in cold, plain water inside of a 38-40 degree cooler for 8 to 12 hours before using. Sarah and Steve call cut dahlias an event flower, meaning that they’re expected to last 3-4 days and then they’re generally done. That being said, ball form Dahlias can last longer— up to 7-8 days!
One final tip: If you’re planting Dahlias in pots, make sure the pots stay shaded (cool feet) while the plants get full, hot sun. Happy gardening!
Dahlias are vibrant, stunning flowers, and it’s easy to see why they are so beloved by gardeners and event holders alike.
Thank You!
Triple Wren Farms works to Share Beauty by growing and selling a variety of cut flowers and dahlia tubers. They also invite visitors to the farm in western Washington for workshops and Open Farm events. They want everyone in America to witness the beauty of their farm!
Thank you, Sarah & Steve, for sharing your wealth of knowledge and for creating a beautiful farm that’s just a short drive away! For more information about Triple Wren Farms and a gallery of their gorgeous flowers, visit https://www.triplewrenfarms.com/.
Now get outside and enjoy your yard!
Power Your Outdoors with Carl’s Mower & Saw, for over 30 years we’ve been Whatcom & Skagit County’s leading source for service, equipment sales, rentals. and parts. Give us a call at 360-384-0799, or email us at info@carlsmower.com.