I'd like to know too. I have some started in containers inside but I'm running out of room.

I think Sierra is the dahlia expert. Her advice has been to put them into the ground right now. If you do a search of this forum, you'll find another thread about dahlias that gives you all the ins and outs and tips and tricks. :) I have two in containers that are outside right now - have been for about a week, but they live in my cold frame and get closed in for the night. They're looking great!

At a garden club meeting recently the speaker talked about dahlias. Hers are planted in pots in the beginning of Feb and by the middle of April they are already over a foot tall. She then pinches the tips off at a height that leaves 3 sets of leaves per stem on yet. Once there is NO danger of frost then she plants them into the garden as a potted plant. She gets blooms on her dahlias in June.

I would imagine that if you did not start them at all before you planted them then you would plant them in the ground in the garden by mid May. By the time they come up the danger of frost should be past. Although, this way you won't get flowers until well into summer.

Dahlias that get frozen will turn black and that part will be dead. I do not know whether they will send new shoots up then or not.

I have started dahlias in the house early some years, late some years and this year it will be late since they are still in my pit.

Brenda

So far I only have my dahlias started inside in pots. (About 30 dahlias in one gallon pots.) I won't be planting mine until we stop freezing and my ground thaws and warms up. I'll probably be planting them out about in a month depending on weather. Since we still have lots of snow on the ground it may be longer than that. My basic requirements are nighttime temperatures over 5c, warm soil and no snow left on the ground. Oh, another guide is to plant them about a week or two before you would plant out warm weather annuals. Does any of this help either of you?

Syreeta

Not really an expert. LOL! I have NOT planted my dahlias out yet...I tested the soil and its still frozen. As soon as the soil is workable they will go out. Also make sure the soil isn't to wet or the tubers will rot. I didn't start any in pots.....as I just put them in the garden. They can be put in the garden early if you haven't started them inside. The tubers are burried so the frost doesn't hurt them.....it will have warmed up by the time the new growth pops out of the ground. If you have started them inside...they shouldn't go out yet...unless you can put them in a cold frame or greenhouse.

My order of new dahlias hasn't arrived yet....but it should be here soon. My potatos and onions order arrived yesterday...so you know its almost time to plant them out.

Sierra

Sierra, who do you order your Dahlias from?

Hey triple_b,

I ordered from the same place as you. I just got my order in the mail. I am going over to post on your other post now.

Sierra