It's Still Too Soon...
March 2021
Don't rush. I'm worth the wait.
Wyn's King Salmon - grown and photographed by Tom Sopczak.
If you are planning to plant dahlias outdoors, keep your shovel in the garage. In most of North America the last frost date is sometime in April. Check your area's frost free date here.

Soil temperature is also important. Tubers and plants do not like cold and damp soil. The average recommended soil temperature for planting is around 60ºF. For corroborating information visit this article.

Then, there is the danger of cold and snow. I have attached an interesting chart showing the March snowfall for major cities.
Don't forget to plan for your containers.
Here's a great container cultivar named Sympathy.
If you have “dahlia fever”, you are in good company and there are things do this month.

Clean the garden

If the soil is relatively dry, clean out the debris and winter weeds. Do not trod around on wet soil; you will compress it. Gather some soil samples and have the pH tested by a commercial company or a local extension service. The ideal pH is slightly acidic, 6.8 give or take - although dahlias are forgiving.

Check your tubers

Take tubers out of storage and check them out. Are they nice and firm and have good, solid crowns? Do you see shoots? If a favorite has shriveled or shows signs of rot, replace it. You can pot them up with potting soil, this will encourage shoots and roots. Some varieties take a month or more to sprout in early Spring. If you have ordered tubers, pot them up when they arrive. Make a list of “must haves” and get in touch with your local dahlia society. or reputable companies that sell dahlias. The ADS website offers a list of sellers that specialize in dahlias.

Take dahlia cuttings and/or plant seeds

This is a little beyond the range of this brief Newsletter. Check out this video on YouTube or signup for a three part Seed Starting Workshop.
 
Finally, as I said last month, you can enjoy the end of Winter and wait until next month. 😀

Still waiting patiently,
Harry


ADS News

The first ever Les Connell Medals were recently awarded. Learn about the medal here.

Kelsey Dwarf the inaugural winner is pictured left.