Do not plant outside until after the frost danger is over. Here in southern Ontario, that is late May / early June.

However, you can pot up your dahlias now. I have about 60 dahlia all poted up, and they have sprouted well.
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Some are even ready for stem cuttings.

My glads are still asleep in the cold cellar, although I fear it is not as cold as I want it. I plant those out near the end of May, and pray for no frost.

Eek! Do you drag all those in and out every day??? Wow! I only have one dahlia and i really should pot it up - i don't know why i keep putting it off. As for glads, i usually start them in large peat pots, but i can't find any big ones this year. Going to town to look again tomorrow.

In "nice weather" years, I have planted glad bulbs approximately May 1st. Just be prepared to cover them, once they come up, should frost threaten.

Wow, talk about mass dahlia production. I have 3 of them that I started early in shrub pots as well. They pretty well go outside during the day, inside or covered at night.

jroot,
please explain the newspaper as i've potted mine in just pot & dirt.
Thanks Wendeyzee