The dragons of Winter came late to the eastern half of the country. During January shoots from spring bulbs sprouted and grew. My thoughts began to turn to container dahlias—could I get a head start on the patio? Fortunately, I hesitated, and February came with freezing weather and more snow than we had in 2020.

It is best to plant out tubers after the last predicted frost date in your area. Over the years, the last frost date in the Mid-Atlantic has moved earlier, but not during February or even March in this area. See what the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society says about the changes.

Photo Mystic Sparkler, Drumman, USA.

Some cultivars are quick to develop shoots, and others slow. Later in the Spring they will sprout more quickly. The same is true about cuttings. Tubers need not be put under lights before they sprout and require virtually no water. The shoot is generated by the moisture and hormones in the tuber. As the sprouts grow, they will develop rootlets and roots, and will need regular watering. The tuber will have done its job. February and March require a lot of patience! All will happen in due time.

If you buy imported tubers at a garden center or big box store, you will often find a small clump of tuberous-roots (a pot root) when you open the package. Some of the necks of the tubers may be broken. Just snip them off and plant the clump in a pot and hope that it will make a sprout. While these dahlias are cheap and available, I prefer to buy tubers from a local dahlia society or a specialty dahlia seller who packages individual tubers with sprouts.