Dahlias are the star of the late summer garden. They come in so many colors, forms, sizes, and there is nothing quite as beautiful as a bouquet of freshly cut Dahlias. The flowers don't mind the heat of summer, and they perfom beautifully right up until the first hard frost. Butterflies and pollinators will be attracted to a display of bold Dahlia blooms!

Start seeds indoors 4 to 8 weeks before you plant to transplant them into your garden. Dahlia seedlings are very cold sensitive, they may die if transplanted in your garden too early. Typically you want to aim for about 3 to 4 weeks after your last spring frost. We do not recommend planting directly into your garden.

Dahlia plants perform best in full sun and in well-draining soil. Depending on their size, they do well in pots or in the flower border.

• Fill starter trays with soil
• Sow the Dahlia seed and cover lightly with soil
• Keep the seed constantly moist and warm
• Place the tray in a bright window
• Once seedlings have true leaves and about 3 inches in height, transplant them into larger pots - they should not be allowed to become root bound
• Once it is warm outside, harden the young plant off 7 - 10 days
• Transplant out into flower beds or containers for continued growing

• Dahlias need regular irrigations for the first 2 - 3 weeks to establish their roots
• After 2 - 3 weeks in their permanent location, fertilizer with a low nitrogen fertilizer - look for a high phosphorous and potassium fertilizer for blooms
• Continue applying this fertilizer throughout the season every 4 weeks
• Deadhead spent flowers
• Stems can be trimmed back to the main branch
• Provide stakes or supports for taller varieties
• Plants will die back with first hard frost