In recent years I have become delighted with dahlias. They're so rewarding. Easy to grow and returning year after year like old friends. They've provided so much inspiration to me in terms of colour and a way to observe the changes of the seasons. Part of my slow days practice of taking time to watch and garden and sketch and create.
Let's set up a dahlia garden together:
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Where is the best spot? I'm planting mine right in the middle of the big bed I have - fully in the sun and where I can see them from my window upstairs.
TIP: Pick a sunny spot with well-draining soil. -
Prepare the Soil: You can chose to dig over the soil and mix in compost or manure to make it fertile and well-drained. I went with the No-Dig Soil Prep Option: Let the worms do the digging! Lay cardboard, then a thick layer of compost or mulch on top of the soil to improve its quality and structure do this about 6 months or a year before planting.
TIP: Take a look at smellaniesgardenflowers on Instagram, she has a cool video showing how to do this. -
Pick the Right Varieties: Choose dahlia varieties that suit your garden and climate. Be careful! it's easy to spend a small fortune! Although I figure, if a tuber is the same or less than a bottle of wine - that's such a win as the pleasure you receive from it is 2000 fold! .
TIP: I bought my first tubers from Sarah Raven - she's top of the market but I appreciated the quality and I felt secure in using hers for my first forey into this world -
Planting Time: Plant dahlia tubers in late spring or early summer, once the risk of frost has passed.
TIP: A frozen tuber is a dead one - if you have any concerns about frozen ground in winter you should lift them each winter, keep in a dry dark place (in a tub of compost) and bring them out for next year. -
Care and Maintenance: Keep the soil moist, mulch around the plants, and deadhead for continuous blooms.
- ENJOY: I spend every evening walking around my garden so so pleased I had the brilliant plan to plant them! Such a treat.