How to Grow Dahlias in Planters

Dahlias are the garden’s fireworks. They are bold, colorful, and impossible to ignore. These elegant blooms come in various sizes and colors, easily brighten up any setting, and always provide a spectacular visual experience! However, what we love most about dahlias is that they’re so easy to grow!

If this is your first time getting around these gorgeous flowers in planters, in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing dahlias, from understanding if they’re perennials, to tips on how to keep them blooming all season long.

Are Dahlias Perennials?

First things first, let’s answer the question some newbie green thumbs may have - are dahlias perennials? Well, that depends on where you live.

In warmer climates (USDA Zones 8-11), dahlias are tender perennials. In these regions, the winters are mild enough for the tubers to survive underground and sprout again in spring.

In cooler climates (Zones 7 and Below), dahlias are typically treated as annuals, unless you dig up the tubers and store them indoors during the colder months. Frost will kill the tubers if you leave them in the ground.

So, while dahlias can act like perennials in the right conditions, they require a bit of extra care to survive in colder climates. Also, here is an article introducing Five Drought Tolerant Perennials For Your Flower Garden.

When to Plant Dahlias？

• Dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep in a metal raised garden bed.
• Lay the tuber horizontally with the sprout facing up.
• Cover with 2-3 inches of soil to start. As the plant grows, you can gradually fill in the rest of the hole.
• Space the tubers about 18-24 inches apart and give them room to spread.

Prepare Dahlias for Winter

Dahlias bloom a lot in season, but as the temperatures dip, they need a little help to make it through the winter, especially in cooler climates. Here is what you can do to protect them:

• Wait for Frost - After the first frost, the dahlia foliage will die back. This is your cue to start the winter preparation process.
• Cut Back the Foliage - With clean garden shears, cut the plant stems down to about 4-6 inches above the ground.

Dig Up the Tubers

• Carefully dig around the base of the plant with a spade or garden fork. Be careful not to damage the tubers.
• Gently lift the clump of tubers out of the soil and brush off excess dirt.
• Cure the Tubers - Allow the tubers to dry in a cool, shaded spot for a few days. This process helps prevent rot.

Store the Tubers

• Place the tubers in a box or container filled with peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust to keep them from completely drying out.
• Store the container in a cool, dark, frost-free place, ideally between 40-50°F. A basement, garage, or unheated closet works perfectly well.
• Check on them periodically to make sure they don’t develop mold.

For gardeners in warmer zones, we can simply leave the tubers in the ground. Adding a layer of mulch over the soil can help insulate them and protect against unexpected cold snaps.

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Benefits of U-shaped Raised Garden Bed

U-shaped raised beds have several features that enhance their functionality and appeal. It is popular in most raised gardens due to its attractive shape and practical design.

• Ample planting space

The U-shaped design provides a large planting area for various plants.

• Easy access

The U-shaped design has an open center, making it easy to access all bed parts. This reduces the need to reach or stoop and makes planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting easier.

• Easy assemble

The Vegega U-shaped bed designed with modular components is easy to assemble. This feature lets you adjust the size and configuration to fit your garden layout.

U-shaped Planting Plans

When laying out u shaped raised garden bed, the first thing to consider is the need to optimize the planting layout. According to the light and growth needs of different plants, planting shade-tolerant plants on the inner side of the U-shape and sun-loving plants on the outer side can make full use of space and light.

Shade-tolerant plants planted inside include spinach, lettuce, bird's nest fern, button fern, ivy, bayberry, azalea, camellia, and so on. These plants like a cool, moist environment and can add green to your flower beds.

Plant sun-loving plants outside, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, sunflowers, cilantro, hydrangeas, azaleas, marigolds, and so on. These plants like sunlight and can add vitality to your flower beds.

In addition to that, vegetables that grow in different light conditions. On the shade-tolerant inside, you can try growing beets, which can grow well in low-light conditions. Cabbage is also adapted to semi-shade conditions and grows quickly.

On the sun-loving outer side, beans such as string beans and navy beans prefer sunny conditions that help them grow and bear fruit. Carrots and squash also need full sun to grow well and make the most of light conditions on the outside.

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How to Deadhead Dahlias

Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, is one of the best ways to keep dahlias flowering all throughout the season. This process redirects the plant’s energy from seed production back into new blooms. Here’s how to do it:

• Identify the Spent Blooms - Dahlias have a sneaky habit – they hide spent flowers among fresh ones. A spent bloom will look a bit withered and droopy, while the fresh blooms are firm and vibrant.
• Look for the Leaf Joint - Trace the stem of the spent bloom down to where it meets the nearest set of leaves. Make your cut here.
• Cut at an Angle - Snip the stem at an angle just above the leaf joint. This helps prevent water from pooling on the cut surface which can lead to rot.
• Be Consistent - Regular deadheading (about once a week) keeps the plant tidy and encourages bloom.

Deadheading is also a great opportunity to check on the overall health of your plants and signal you to remove any damaged foliage.

Additional Tips for Dahlias

• Stake and Support - Many dahlia varieties grow tall and produce heavy blooms, so they’ll need some support. Use stakes, cages, or even tomato supports to keep them upright.
• Water - Dahlias like consistent moisture but don’t enjoy sitting in soggy soil. Water deeply once or twice a week. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
• Fertilize - Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-10-10) every 3-4 weeks during the growth season. Too much nitrogen will encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
• Pest Control - Keep an eye out for slugs, aphids, and spider mites. A strong spray of water can help you remove most pests.

Dahlias are more than just gorgeous flowers - they are every gardener’s dream! From their cheerful colors to their easy-to-grow nature, they bring so much joy to any space. With some planning and effort, you can enjoy their blooms all summer long.

Conclusion

So get your gloves and start planting them! You can start from tubers, deadhead for more blooms, or tuck them away for the winter. Either way, dahlias will reward you with their beauty and color like no other flower. Keep on reading our blogs for more gardening info!