Transplanting Dahlias from Pots
Yay! You have a dahlia plant! Whether you purchased one from us or “woke” your tuber up, that little eye has become a sprout and matured into your mini plant, ready to stretch its roots in the soil.
Lots of folks reach out to me asking how they should plant these guys, and it’s simpler than you think. Don’t worry about the tuber orientation—whether it’s horizontal or not, it doesn’t matter. It will still grow into a beautiful plant and produce tubers in the fall for dividing.
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. We love raised beds, but if you don’t have one, pick a place that doesn’t have puddles after rain. Dig a hole so that the pot will be completely covered. We usually sprinkle a pinch of fish bone meal at the base of the hole, but if you don’t have it—don’t worry, you’ll be fine.
If your pots are compostable like ours, break up the base of the pot a little so the roots can take off quickly. Water the hole a bit, then cover it with soil.
To pinch or not to pinch? Totally up to you. If you pinch at planting, see the opening picture for where to pinch. You’ll end up with more blooms in the initial flush, but it will take longer. If you choose not to pinch, you’ll get a single bloom early and need to make a deep first cut (which serves as a pinch) so that more long stems will follow. So, decide between an early bloom or many multiple blooms later.
There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching these stunning flowers bloom, and I’m thrilled to be part of your gardening journey. Happy planting, and may your garden be filled with vibrant, gorgeous dahlias all season long! 🌸
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