This guide covers cultivating, growing and caring for dahlias. In fact, Dahlias are beautiful and popular flowers that can add a burst of colour to any garden. Caring for dahlias is a relatively easy and satisfying task. With a little effort, you can enjoy the beauty of these beautiful flowers all season long.
14 tips for caring for dahlias includes:
- Plant your dahlias in a sunny spot. Dahlias prefer full sun and will not bloom as well if they don’t get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
- Plant your dahlias in well-drained soil. Dahlias will not do well in soggy soil.
- Work plenty of organic matter, such as compost, into your soil to improve drainage and help retain moisture.
- Water your dahlias regularly. Water deeply, but don’t let the soil get soggy.
- Fertilize your dahlias twice during the growing season, once in early spring and again in mid-summer.
- Deadhead your dahlias to encourage more blooms. Remove spent flowers and seed heads to encourage the plant to produce more blooms.
- Stake your tall dahlias to support the stem and prevent them from flopping over.
- Cut back your dahlias in the fall before the first frost. Cut back the stems to a few inches above the ground.
- Mulch your dahlias in the winter to protect them from extreme cold.
- Dig up your dahlias every few years and divide them to help keep them healthy and encourage new growth.
- Remove any diseased or damaged foliage during the growing season.
- Control pests such as aphids and spider mites.
- Protect your dahlias from slugs and snails by using Sluggo or other similar products.
- Plant your dahlias in containers to help keep them safe from pests and disease.