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Why I only sell Dahlia Tubers that have fresh active sprouting "eye"

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The short version, I only want to sell viable tubers. While you might spot eyes in the fall – which are helpful for dividing – a dahlia tuber hasn't truly proved it is viable until it has a fresh, actively sprouting eye in the spring. This is why I've made the commitment to only ship dahlia tubers with a visible eye . I've purchased many tubers from various growers over the years, and I've decided I simply don't like receiving dahlias without a fresh eye. Even if it's likely a good tuber, I don't want to be the one taking the risk and constantly monitoring it. I've had too many in my own batches that never produced an eye, proving that viability isn't a given. I need proof!  Another huge advantage to only selling tubers with eyes is that it's a vital step in disease monitoring . This year, for instance, I caught signs of leafy gall on just one single tuber. Because I practice sanitation and sterilize my cutting tools, I wasn't worried about ...
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Planting Your Dahlia Tubers in the Ground

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I love to over-give information, and sometimes people don't want to read that.  So I have started with simple basic guidelines.  But down below is my lengthy explanations.   Where to Plant - Plant where you get a minimum of 6 hours plus of sunlight everyday. Make your soil well draining.  I use bagged steer manure and organic peat moss worked into my soil to improve it. Each Dahlia Tuber has different size plants, pay attention to the size as you pick your location.  And make a plan for how you will support the dahlias before you plant.  Single stake at planting, or add cage, or netting once they are about 12 inches. You need at least 12 inches between your plants, and 18 inches gives it more breathing room. Planting-  Only plant your tubers once the chance of frost has passed.  Dig a hole about 6 inches deep, mix a small amount of bone meal into the soil and lay the tuber sideways with the eye (think potato sprout) facing up, cover with dirt...
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A Couple Things to Know- Before Planting

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 If you are reading this then you are probably new to the Dahlia Flowers.  Here are a couple things it is helpful to understand- Dahlias and frost don't mix .  Plant them in the ground once the soil has warmed--the internet says warmed to 60 degrees.  I just find you can plant after the threat of frost has passed for your area.  This is determined by looking up your zone, or just calling your local extension office, or pretty much asking anyone who plants tomatoes.  For my area it is May 15th.   Dahlias and too much water in the first couple weeks don't do well .  Do not water the tubers once they are planted until you see the leaves come up.  They really can rot.   If you are wanting to plant in an area that has water you can't turn off (which many have this issue), I recommend starting the Dahlias inside.  They are a really easy plant to pre start.  I would put the tuber in a 6 inch or so pot, add 2 parts soil and 1...
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The Advantages of buying Dahlia Tubers from Small Farmers Like Me

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First and most importantly-  I want you to succeed and enjoy the magic of Dahlia Flowers this Fall.  It will bring you joy, and others around you, especially  if you share them.     Second-   Dahlias can seem like a complicated flower so I am including lots and lots of information so you can better understand and it makes growing them almost easy. Third- The secret is that there is no way to commercially grow dahlia tubers the way small farmers do.    The tubers grow in intricate clumps and have to be divided by hand, by a person.   Because of this they offer small tuber clumps for sale at big box stores- not individual healthy tubers, like you are buying from me.      Small clumps that are packaged for large sales are frequently put in situations that are not healthy for the tubers- like freezing temperatures.   Plus it will have many (if not all) the tubers with broken necks an those are at risk to rot in the co...
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What is a Dahlia Tuber?

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It is the “potato” of the flower world!  Potatoes are tubers and Dahlia plants produce tubers and that is how you can get the same flower over and over again.  Unlike other flowers they do not reproduce the same   flower when you take the seeds because seed production requires a pollinator.   But this is also why they have been able to develop so many amazing different kinds of Dahlia Flowers. The dictionary describes a tuber as-     It is a starchy body that contains food, water, and nutrition for a dahlia plant to grow until it establishes a root system that will then provide food for the plant.    This means, that the tuber has the nutrients and everything it needs to start producing a new plant.   The first couple of weeks a tuber doesn’t need light or extra water to produce an eye and start to grow.   And,   amazingly all sizes of tubers are able to produce beautiful plants and flowers.   The important part is that the...
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Our Dahlia Story.....

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  Back in 2017, I was just finishing up on being the executor of my parents will and all the time and emotion energy of finishing up the details of my parents passing just 7 months apart from each other.  I also had 5 children (3 still at home), 2 dogs, horse, and a husband with a very stressful job.  We had been looking for a place to live that would have views that were beautiful and relaxing.  And then on Valentine’s day in 2017 we decided to go look at homes as our valentine date and we came across the most amazing lot, on top a hill with views of the mountains and a lake.  It was literally an answer to a prayer (a dream really) we had for a long time.   It was over 3 acres of land, and a price we could afford.  We had always had gardens, and I have always grown herbs, but this was a bigger space and we wanted to plant something we loved.  Fast forward a couple of years and we had a pasture for our horses, and a garden area but a large ar...
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HiDahlia Blooms

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