Planting – Dahlia Tubers

On By TimelessladyIn Planting

I first published this dahlia collage in September of 2018. The passing months have not diminished my desire to plant several large dahlias in this year’s garden.

I purchased a few tubers in local garden centers, and decided to give them a head start for growing. I found several large pots, filled them with potting soil, and placed the tubers inside. Oh Happy Day! All of the tubers sprouted and grew. It’s time to plant them in the sunniest of garden beds.

Tall dahlias need stakes to stay upright in heavy rain. I read a great tip years ago that suggested putting a stake in place when you first plant the tubers. If you insert a stake after the dahlia tubers are planted and covered with soil you risk puncturing/tearing the tubers and killing the plant.

After I planted my dahlia and had my stake in place, I also took a precaution to protect my eyes. It’s so easy to forget about stakes and sticks jutting out of the ground when I weed or plant. I’ve had several close calls with my eyes, and have had stakes badly scrape my arms when weeding. To remind myself of their presence, and to add a bit of protection to the ragged ends, I place a seashell on the top of the stake.

I use seashells because I have boxes of them stored in the garage. All types of articles could be used to mark the top of the stakes, acorn tops, nuts, windmills, small cans painted in bright colors. The list is as endless as your imagination. Please do be careful with all types of stakes in the ground; I will always carry a scar on my leg from running into stake marking out a building site when I was a child. Sixteen stitches to close a wound leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime. Happy (and safe) gardening my friends!

25 thoughts on “Planting – Dahlia Tubers”

    1. Timelesslady

      Thanks for stopping by…I love gardening and sharing tips. I also love finding new ones to use in my gardening through the blogs of others. Have a great day!

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    1. Timelesslady

      You’re so welcome. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. It always feels as if friends and neighbors are stopping by the house and staying for a cup of coffee or tea.

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  4. Kathy,
    i have bumped into sticks planted into the ground as support- thank you for your great ideas- the items are environmentally friendly and also recyclable too.
    I forgot what seeds I have planted in my pots- that is my biggest memory lapse.
    Susie

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  6. Thanks for the tips. I am going to get a late start planting the new ones I purchased. Last year I finally found the perfect spot and enjoyed the flowers from the single plant.

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    1. Timelesslady

      Happens to me too…Thanks for stopping by and the sproty, I mean sporty, no I mean comment that was SO fun. 😁❤😁

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  10. Dahlias are wonderful photo subjects and nowadays because of that they are one of my favorite flowers. I don’t garden any longer but I still love “stealing” other people’s flowers (with my camera only )), My only Garden is virtual.

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    1. Timelesslady

      I have gone on Iris hunts riding my bicycle and toting my camera…also ready to ‘steal’ the flowers in gardens in the town near me. It was great fun and I was able to find so many iris blooming. I have a few varieties, but not as many as I was able to photograph. It’s always fun to find a ‘kindred’ spirit.

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  12. Felicia J

    Thank you for the tips, I appreciate your advice. I’m just a beginner & have some Dahlia tubers I purchased that are all broken apart. I don’t know if they’re going to make it but I hope that they do! Wish me luck!😊

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Thanks so much for your comments. They fill my life with sunshine.