Dahlia Tuber Care: Step‑by‑Step Guide

1. Understand Your Tuber

• Dahlias are tender perennials and cannot survive frost.
• Each tuber has a body, neck, and eye.
• The eye is where the plant grows from — look for a raised bump (white, pink, or purple).

2. Option A: Start Indoors (for a head start)

1. Fill a small pot with soil (potting mix, dirt, it doesn't matter)
2. Place the tuber eye facing up.
3. Cover the tuber completely with soil.
4. Set the pot in a sunny, warm location.
5. Keep soil lightly moist (not soggy).
6. Transplant outdoors once frost danger has passed (around Mother’s Day in Virginia).

3. Option B: Store Until Planting Time

1. Keep the tuber in the bag with vermiculite it came in.
2. Store in a cool, dry place (a basement works well).
3. Avoid heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.

4. Planting Outdoors

1. Wait until all danger of frost has passed.  Mother's Day is the informal date we aim for.
2. Choose a spot with well‑draining soil.  This is key because the tuber can rot and die if left in soggy conditions.
3. Plant tuber 6 inches deep, eye facing up.
4. Space plants 12 inches apart.
5. Dahlias can be planted in the ground or in containers (containers must drain well).

5. Encourage a Bushier Plant

1. Let the plant grow to 12 inches tall.
2. Pinch off the top few inches of growth.  If you need a visual, I included a diagram below.
3. This encourages branching and more blooms.

6. Harvesting Blooms

1. Cut flowers when the bloom is open but before the green center is visible.
2. Place stems in clean water.
3. Expect a vase life of 5–7 days.

7. End‑of‑Season Care

Option A: Leave Tubers in the Ground (Zone 7 or above)

1. After frost, cut back the plant to soil level.
2. Cover the area with heavy mulch.
3. Note: extreme winters may still damage tubers.
4. Dahlias cannot overwinter in pots.

Option B: Dig, Divide & Store (Recommended)

1. After frost, dig up the tuber clump.
2. Gently wash off soil and let it dry completely.
3. Divide tubers, ensuring each has a neck + eye.
4. Store in a cool, dry place for winter.
5. One tuber can become 5, 8, 10+ in a single season.

We recommend this excellent dividing & storing tutorial from Galena at Micro Flower Farm: Dividing Dahlias Made Simple!

Where to pinch:

Tulip Bulb Planting & Care Guide

Thank you for purchasing tulip bulbs from Estes Farm! With just a bit of care, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful spring blooms.

1️⃣ Give Them a Chill

Tulips need 12–16 weeks of cold before they’ll be ready to bloom.
If you’re not planting right away, store bulbs around 40°F — a spare fridge, basement, or unheated garage works well.

• Avoid overly humid areas.
• A little mold is normal! Simply wipe it off gently before planting.

2️⃣ Plant Before Christmas

You have plenty of time to plant, but aim to get all bulbs in the ground by Christmas.
This gives them time to root before the ground freezes.

3️⃣ Planting Depth & Location

Plant bulbs 6–8 inches deep, with a few inches of soil beneath for roots to spread.
They’ll thrive in:

• Garden beds
• Raised beds
• Containers or pots

Just make sure your container drains well.

4️⃣ Keep Them Hydrated

Tulips love moisture! Consistent water leads to strong stems and full blooms.

• Snowfall counts as water.
• If it’s a mild winter, deep water weekly until the ground freezes.

5️⃣ For Returning Blooms

If you want your tulips to return next year, let them bloom and fade naturally so the bulb can recharge.
If you prefer to cut the flowers to bring indoors, enjoy them — just know the bulb likely won’t bloom again the following spring.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help!
hello@estesfarmva.com