Dahlia planting season has arrived. It’s time to get your tubers or pre-sprouted dahlias in the ground—or it soon will be, depending on your hardiness zone. How easily I can picture home gardeners and flower farmers all over the world tucking their prized dahlias into the warm spring garden soil.
Here at the farm, I pre-sprout my dahlias before planting them. Why? So I can get a head start on the dahlia blooming season!
Pre-sprouting might not be feasible for some home gardeners because the tubers require more space than what they need for winter storage. But if you have the space, I say give pre-sprouting a go.
I do all my pre-sprouting inside an unheated high tunnel. I start by lining large crates with paper. Then I add a high-quality soil and compost. I only use soil that is warm because that’s what tubers need for waking up and sprouting.
The photo below is from April 4. You can see how I nestled the tubers in the soil. If they look a little closer together than you’d expect, you’re right—even I run low on space here at the farm.
The decision about whether to divide tubers before pre-sprouting them is a matter of personal preference. Sometimes I divide the tubers, and sometimes I leave two or three attached. The really critical issue is whether a tuber shows evidence of an eye. The next photo shows a dahlia starting to expose an eye. Remember, if a dahlia doesn’t have an eye, it won’t produce.
New growth, as displayed in the next photo, which was taken on April 22, is proof the tubers have awakened. Once foliage starts to appear, pay particular attention to weather forecasts. You don’t want all your pre-sprouting efforts to go down the drain with a cold snap. When temperatures drop to a point that concerns me, I cover my pre-sprouting tubers with cloth.
Take a look below at the lush growth on my pre-sprouted dahlias. When the danger of frost has past, these dahlias will be ready to plant in the field.
And when the day to plant arrives, you’ll discover, as I have, that your pre-sprouted dahlias have well-established root systems, like the one shown below.
Pre-sprouted dahlias are worth their weight in gold because you’ll be enjoying beautiful blooms four to six weeks sooner—blooms like the ones produced by Fleurel.
This giant dinnerplate dahlia is the most beautiful dahlia I’ve ever grown. And because I pre-sprout it, I get to use it sooner in fresh bouquets where its blooms bring every detail into focus. This dahlia is especially breathtaking in bridal bouquets.
Be sure to check back with me later for updates on my dahlias and information on spacing and staking them. In the meantime, have a beautiful day in the garden.
Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden