Morning Dew Farm

Dahlia Growing Instructions

Morning Dew is a small, family farm in Campton, Kentucky, located near the beautiful Red River Gorge. We want to thank you for supporting us with your dahlia tuber purchase.

Please inspect your tubers upon arrival. If you have any issues or questions about your order, email us immediately at admin@morningdewfarmky.com.

Tips for Growing Dahlias

Planting Time

Tuber are best planted in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and when the ground temperature is at least 60°F. A good rule of thumb is to plant them when tomatoes can be safely planted. Here in Kentucky, we plant our tubers around Kentucky Derby weekend.

Storage

If you’re not ready to plant, store the bag of tubers along with its peat moss or pine shavings in a cool, dry spot away from direct light. The recommended storage temperature is around 45°F. Check on the tubers periodically—if condensation forms inside the bag, open it slightly to let the moisture escape.

Pre-Plant Sprouting

Tubers may lose moisture during storage or become a little soft or shriveled, which is normal. If they start to sprout before you’re ready to plant, don’t worry. Plant them at the appropriate time with the sprouts facing upward. If the sprouts exceed 2 to 3 inches, trim them to about 1 inch.

Choosing a Planting Location

Select a site with well-draining soil that receives 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid planting tubers in heavy clay soil or in retail potting soil with added fertilizer (e.g., Miracle-Gro), as it can damage them.

Planting Instructions

Plant the tubers 4 to 6 inches deep, laying them horizontally with a spacing of 12 inches apart. Unless you live in a very hot, dry climate, avoid watering immediately after planting. Begin watering once sprouts appear above the ground. If a long stretch of rainy days is forecast, it might be best to hold off on planting since tubers are prone to rotting in very wet soil.

After-Plant Care

Once sprouts emerge, sprinkle snail/slug bait around the plants. We recommend using Sluggo because it is pet-safe.

Staking

Dahlias require staking for support. It’s best to install supports at the time of planting to avoid damaging the tuber later. You can use tall wooden stakes, metal rods, or large tomato cages.

Pinching for Growth

To promote strong, bushy growth and an ideal stem length for cutting, pinch the center shoot once the plant reaches about 18 inches tall (approximately a foot and a half). Cut the center shoot just above the third set of leaves. This only needs to be done once.

Additional Resources

Dahlias have become a very popular addition to gardens, and there are many excellent online resources for growing them. Some of our favorites include:

Happy planting, and may your dahlias bring you as much joy as they have brought us!

Mike & Melissa
Morning Dew Farm KY