Plant dahlias in late spring once all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to at least 60 degrees F.

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Dahlias thrive in garden beds with ample space to spread and grow.

Dig a hole 4-6 inches deep and place the tuber with the "eye" facing up. The tuber should be covered with 2-4 inches of soil once covered.

Cover with soil, water thoroughly, and space tubers 18-24 inches apart for larger varieties or 12-15 inches for smaller ones.

Avoid watering until shoots emerge, moderate rain is fine but tubers are susceptible to rot at this stage.

Water deeply but avoid overwatering. Stake taller varieties to prevent them from drooping and regularly deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.

Pinch dahlias when they reach about 12-18 inches tall, typically around 3-4 weeks after planting or once they have developed at least 4 sets of leaves. To pinch, use clean scissors or your fingers to remove the topmost set of leaves just above a pair of leaf nodes. This encourages the plant to branch out and produce more stems, leading to a bushier plant with more blooms throughout the growing season.

To encourage more blooms on dahlias, start by using a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-10-10 or 10-20-20) once the plants are established, typically after the first set of true leaves appear. Apply the fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, as these promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Additionally, incorporating organic matter like compost into the soil before planting can improve overall plant health.

For the best flower quality, harvest dahlias early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Select blooms that are fully open, as dahlias do not continue to open after cutting. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to cut stems at an angle, making sure to leave some foliage on the plant. Immediately place the cut stems in a bucket of cool water to prevent wilting, and let them hydrate for a few hours before arranging.

Regularly cutting blooms also encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season, cut deeply for longer stems.

To overwinter dahlias using wool, begin by carefully digging up the tubers after the first frost has killed the foliage, making sure not to damage them. Clean off excess soil, trim the stems to about 2-4 inches, and allow the tubers to air dry for a few days in a cool, dry place. Once dry, pack the tubers in wool, which helps to insulate them and wick away moisture, preventing rot. Store the wool-packed tubers in a cool, dark location, ideally between 40-50°F, and check them periodically for any signs of decay. In spring, replant the tubers when soil temperatures reach around 60°F.

**I use wool to avoid using peat moss for sustainability - there are many ways to store tubers for the winter