Growing Dahlias In Vermont: Your Guide To Thriving Blooms In The Green

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Let’s be honest, gardening in Vermont is both a joy and a challenge. We cherish our lush green summers, but that short growing season and the ever-present threat of a late spring frost can make us think twice about growing tender, show-stopping flowers. It’s easy to feel like those spectacular, dinner-plate-sized blooms are out of reach for us here in the Green Mountain State.

But I’m here to promise you that not only is it possible, but growing dahlias in Vermont is one of the most rewarding gardening experiences you can have. With a few key strategies tailored to our unique climate, you can fill your garden with breathtaking color from mid-summer right up until the first hard frost.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know. We’ll cover choosing the right varieties, the perfect planting timeline for our region, essential care tips, and the most crucial step for any Vermont dahlia grower: how to successfully save your tubers for next year. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a stunning dahlia display!

Why Dahlias are a Perfect Match for Vermont Gardens

You might think of dahlias as delicate, but they are surprisingly well-suited for our climate if you know how to work with them. The benefits of growing dahlias in Vermont go far beyond just a pretty flower; they are true garden workhorses.

Here’s why they deserve a spot in your garden:

  • Unmatched Variety: From tiny, golf-ball-sized pompons to giant “dinner-plate” varieties that can span 10 inches across, there’s a dahlia for every taste. The range of colors and forms is simply staggering.
  • Late-Season Superstars: Just as our summer annuals start to fade in late August and September, dahlias hit their peak performance. They provide a spectacular burst of color when the rest of the garden is winding down.
  • A Cut Flower Dream: If you love fresh bouquets, dahlias are a must-grow. The more you cut them, the more they bloom! A small patch of dahlia plants can provide you with endless arrangements for your home all season long.
  • Pollinator Magnets: Simpler, open-faced dahlia varieties are fantastic for attracting bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthy, eco-friendly growing dahlias in vermont garden ecosystem.

Choosing the Right Dahlia Varieties for Our Climate

While nearly any dahlia can be grown here, some varieties are better suited for our shorter season. To get the most blooms before that first frost, consider varieties that are known to be early and prolific bloomers.

Varieties to Look For

Look for smaller-flowered types, as they often mature and produce flowers more quickly than the giant dinner-plate varieties. Don’t worry—they are just as beautiful!

Consider these types:

  • Ball and Pompon Dahlias: These produce adorable, spherical blooms and are incredibly productive.
  • Collarette and Anemone Dahlias: These open-centered flowers are fantastic for pollinators and bloom their hearts out.
  • Border or Bedding Dahlias: These are compact plants that are perfect for containers or the front of a garden bed.

A great tip is to source your tubers from growers in northern climates. Their stock is often better acclimated to conditions like ours. This is one of the key growing dahlias in vermont tips for success.

The Ultimate Growing Dahlias in Vermont Guide

Ready to get your hands dirty? This is our step-by-step plan for success. Following this timeline and these best practices is the core of how to growing dahlias in vermont and achieving a garden full of blooms.

Timing is Everything: When to Plant

The single biggest mistake you can make is planting your dahlia tubers too early. They are native to Mexico and cannot tolerate cold, wet soil or frost. In Vermont, this means patience is a virtue!

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The golden rule is to plant your tubers when the soil has warmed to about 60°F and all danger of frost has passed. For most of Vermont (Zones 4-5), this is typically from the last week of May to mid-June. A good landmark is to plant them around the same time you plant your tomatoes.

A Head Start: Waking Up Your Tubers

Want a pro tip to get a jump on our short season? You can “wake up” your tubers indoors about 4-6 weeks before your planting date. This is called pre-sprouting.

  1. Place your tubers on a tray with a bit of slightly damp potting soil.
  2. Keep them in a warm, bright room (around 65-70°F).
  3. Within a few weeks, you should see small green or reddish “eyes” begin to sprout. Now they are awake and ready to grow quickly once planted!

Location and Soil Preparation

Dahlias are sun-worshippers. Choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Less sun will result in leggy plants with few flowers.

They also demand well-draining soil. Our Vermont soil can often be heavy with clay. To improve it, amend your garden bed generously with compost. This not only improves drainage but also adds vital nutrients, setting the stage for a healthy plant.

How to Plant Your Dahlia Tubers

Once your soil is warm and the timing is right, it’s time to plant. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Dig a Hole: Dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep and wide enough to comfortably fit the tuber.
  2. Add Amendments: A handful of bone meal or a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer in the bottom of the hole will encourage strong root and flower development.
  3. Place the Tuber: Lay the tuber horizontally in the hole with the sprouting “eye” pointing up. If you can’t find an eye, don’t worry—it will find its way!
  4. Backfill Gently: Cover the tuber with soil, but don’t pack it down too tightly.
  5. IMPORTANT: Do NOT water the tuber after planting. The moisture in the soil is enough to get it started. Watering before you see green shoots can cause the tuber to rot.

Essential Dahlia Care for Abundant Blooms

Once your dahlias have sprouted, the real fun begins! This growing dahlias in vermont care guide will keep your plants healthy and productive all summer long.

Watering Wisely

Once you see the first green shoots emerge from the soil (this can take a few weeks!), you can begin watering. Dahlias prefer deep, infrequent watering rather than a light daily sprinkle. Give them a good, long soak 2-3 times a week, especially during hot, dry spells.

Feeding for Flowers

To get the most flowers, feed your dahlias with a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium. Too much nitrogen will give you big, bushy green plants with very few blooms. A fertilizer formulated for tomatoes or flowers works perfectly. Start feeding every 3-4 weeks once the plants are about a foot tall.

Staking and Support

Most dahlia varieties, especially the larger ones, will need support to prevent their heavy, bloom-laden stems from snapping in the wind or rain. The best practice is to place your stake (a sturdy bamboo pole or metal rod) in the planting hole before you backfill. This prevents you from accidentally piercing the tuber later on.

Pinching for a Bushier Plant

It feels counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do is to “pinch” your dahlia plant when it’s about 12 inches tall and has 3-4 sets of leaves. Simply snip off the top central shoot, just above a set of leaves. This encourages the plant to branch out from the base, resulting in a sturdier, bushier plant with many more flowers.

Tackling Common Problems with Growing Dahlias in Vermont

Even with the best care, you might encounter a few challenges. Don’t worry! Most common problems with growing dahlias in vermont are easy to manage, especially with an eco-friendly approach.

  • Slugs and Snails: These pests love young dahlia shoots. Use organic slug bait or place a ring of crushed eggshells around the base of the plant as a deterrent.
  • Japanese Beetles: A common Vermont pest. The most effective, chemical-free method is to head out in the cool morning and knock them into a bucket of soapy water.
  • Powdery Mildew: This white, dusty fungus can appear in late summer during humid weather. Prevent it by ensuring good air circulation around your plants and watering the soil, not the leaves. A spray of diluted neem oil can help manage an outbreak.
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The Most Important Step: Overwintering Your Tubers

This is the secret to sustainable growing dahlias in vermont. Dahlia tubers will not survive our cold, frozen ground. You must dig them up and store them for the winter.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Wait for a Frost: Wait until the first hard frost has blackened the foliage. This signals the tuber to go dormant for winter. Cut the stalks down to about 6 inches.
  2. Dig Carefully: Using a pitchfork or shovel, start digging about a foot away from the stalk to avoid damaging the tubers. Gently lift the entire clump from the ground.
  3. Clean and Cure: Gently brush off the excess soil (don’t wash them with water yet). Let the clumps cure in a dry, protected place like a garage or shed for a few days until the skin feels leathery.
  4. Divide (Optional but Recommended): You can divide the large clump into individual tubers, ensuring each piece has at least one “eye” from the main stalk. This gives you more plants for next year!
  5. Pack for Storage: Pack the tubers in a cardboard box or plastic bin filled with a medium like peat moss, wood shavings, or vermiculite. This keeps them from drying out or rotting.
  6. Store Cool and Dark: Store the box in a cool, dark place that stays between 40-50°F and doesn’t freeze, like a basement or an insulated garage. Check on them once a month to ensure they aren’t shriveling or molding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Dahlias in Vermont

Can I leave dahlia tubers in the ground over winter in Vermont?

No, absolutely not. The ground freezes solid in Vermont, which will kill the tubers. Digging them up for winter storage is a non-negotiable step for success in our climate.

How do I protect my dahlias from an early fall frost?

If an early, light frost is in the forecast but you still have lots of buds, you can cover your plants overnight with a frost blanket or an old bedsheet. This can often buy you a few more weeks of beautiful blooms before a hard, killing frost arrives.

Why are my dahlias all leaves and no flowers?

This is almost always caused by too much nitrogen. This can come from using the wrong type of fertilizer or planting in soil that is overly rich with nitrogen-heavy amendments like fresh manure. Switch to a “bloom booster” fertilizer and be patient!

Your Vermont Dahlia Journey Begins Now!

Growing dahlias in Vermont is a journey that rewards a little bit of planning with an unbelievable display of beauty. From the first sprout in June to the final spectacular bloom in October, they bring so much life and color to the garden.

By choosing the right varieties, respecting our planting timeline, and committing to digging and storing your tubers, you are setting yourself up for success. Don’t be intimidated—embrace the process! You now have the complete growing dahlias in vermont best practices to create the garden of your dreams.

Go forth and grow, Greeny Gardener! Your garden is waiting for these stunning flowers.

Rimon Chowdhury
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