My Dahlias: Tuber to Bloom

Remember this post back in April when I ordered my dahlias and planned the garden? I thought it would be neat to show you guys the growing season all in one post. I’ve been sitting on these pictures for a while, so here they are all together.

There I am, beaming from ear to ear in front of my giant dahlias.

I’m shocked about the height of this years crop. It may be from planting them so close together. They can get so spindly I wanted to have a fuller effect, rather than a specimen effect, and so, I planted them 8 inches apart instead of 12-18 inches. I’m pleased with it. In fact I can’t stop smiling every time I walk by.

I cut a bunch of blooms for a bouquet before taking this photo – oops!

Step 1: Digging the holes 12 inches deep, and replacing the soil

I decided to dig out the whole area instead of making a bunch of 12 inch deep holes. The soil was heavy clay, so I replaced it with soil that has better drainage.

Step 2: Laying the dahlias in the 12 inch deep bed.

Step 3: The dahlias were covered with 2 inches of soil,

and labeled with popsicle sticks, and stakes for support later.

Step 4: As the sprouts popped through the dirt I covered them with soil, little by little.

Step 5: After covering the shoots with soil as they grew,

the level of the bed finally became level with the rest of the garden.

The tubers are now 12 inches underground.

Step 6: Two months later and they are 5-7 feet tall and just dripping with blooms.

These are not all of the flowers, I still have more pictures to take.