In the Dahlia Garden - by Linda Ernst

If July could talk, it would probably say, "Good luck!"

By now, the excitement of spring planting has faded into a distant memory. The lush green plants thatpromised armloads of spectacular blooms are now standing in what feels like a sauna with no airconditioning. The North Carolina Piedmont has settled into its favorite summer pattern—temperatures thatmake you sweat just walking to the mailbox and humidity thick enough to swim through.

If you're new to growing dahlias, don't panic. If you're an experienced grower, you're probably alreadychecking the weather forecast every five minutes, hoping to see a cold front that never seems to arrive.

I'll admit it. Every July I have the same conversation with myself.

"That's it. I'm done. I'm not growing dahlias next year."

Then September arrives, the weather cools, the blooms explode, and somehow I forget every miserableJuly. It's apparently a condition shared by many dahlia growers.

Someone once gave me the best advice I've ever heard about July gardening:

"Just keep them alive until cooler weather gets here."

That simple statement completely changed how I look at this time of year. July isn't about perfection—it'sabout survival.

Fortunately, being a member of the Central Carolina Dahlia Society has taught me plenty of tricks forhelping dahlias make it through our long, hot summer.

Water Wisely
Deep watering is far better than a quick daily sprinkle. Water slowly so the moisture reaches the root zone. Early morning is the best time, allowing plants to absorb water before the afternoon heat arrives while reducing the chance of disease.

Mulch Is Your Friend

A few inches of mulch helps keep the soil cooler, reduces evaporation, and gives your plants a fighting chance when the thermometer starts climbing. Think of it as sunscreen for the roots.

Keep Feeding...But Don't Overdo It
Continue fertilizing, but avoid pushing excessive leafy growth during the hottest weather. A balanced feeding schedule is plenty. Your plants are working hard enough just trying to survive.

Stay Ahead of Pests
Unfortunately, insects love July almost as much as they love dahlias. Continue checking for spider mites, thrips, aphids, and Japanese beetles. Spider mites especially enjoy hot, dry conditions and can multiply before you know they're there. Regular inspections and timely spraying, when needed, can prevent major damage.

Deadhead Regularly
Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to keep producing flowers instead of making seeds. Besides, it makes the garden look like you actually know what you're doing.

Don't Panic Over a Few Ugly Leaves
Some yellowing lower leaves are perfectly normal during extreme heat. Every leaf doesn't have to look like it belongs in a gardening magazine. Your goal right now is healthy plants—not beauty pageant winners.

Support Those Tall Plants
Summer thunderstorms can appear with little warning. Check your stakes and ties often. It's much easier to tighten a few ties today than to rescue broken plants tomorrow. 

Be Patient
Perhaps the hardest advice of all.

Many dahlias simply pause during the worst heat of summer. They aren't quitting—they're conserving energy. Once cooler nights finally arrive, they'll reward your patience with some of the most beautiful blooms of the season.

July may test your patience, your endurance, and occasionally your sanity. You'll question why you chose a hobby that involves standing outside in 95-degree heat battling mosquitoes while carrying a watering wand.

But then one perfect bloom opens.
Then another.

Before long, September arrives, the garden comes alive, and you'll be planning next year's additions like July never happened.

Funny how that works. 

 

Happy Gardening! 🌸              Linda

June is when the Dahlia Garden truly begins to wake up and stretch toward summer. The tubers we carefully planted in spring are now sending up strong stalks, healthy leaves, and the promise of glorious blooms ahead. The garden feels full of anticipation this month, and our role as dahlia caretakers becomes more important with each warm day.

 

One of the most important tasks in June is pinching. This can feel a little cruel the first time you do it because you are removing the top growth from a perfectly healthy plant. But experienced dahlia growers know this simple act works like magic. When the plant reaches about 12 to 16 inches tall and has at least three or four sets of leaves, pinch out the center growing tip just above a leaf set. This encourages the plant to branch outward instead of growing tall and spindly. More branches mean stronger plants and many more blooms later in the season. Think of it as convincing your dahlias to become beautifully rounded bushes instead of awkward teenagers.

 

June also reminds us that dahlias are thirsty plants. Consistent watering is essential, especially as temperatures rise. Deep watering a few times a week is far better than a light sprinkle every day. A good soaking encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil where moisture stays cooler longer. Early morning watering is always best, giving plants time to dry before evening and helping prevent disease problems. Mulching around the plants can also help retain moisture and keep weeds from staging a hostile takeover of the garden.

 

As the plants grow, they become hungry as well. Fertilizing in June helps build strong stems and healthy foliage that will support those spectacular summer blooms. Many growers prefer a lownitrogen fertilizer because too much nitrogen can produce huge leafy plants with fewer flowers. A balanced feeding every few weeks during active growth usually keeps dahlias happy. It is always amazing how quickly they respond with vigorous growth after a good meal.

 

Unfortunately, June is not only exciting for gardeners. The pests are waking up too. Aphids, spider mites, earwigs, slugs, and cucumber beetles all seem to believe we planted these gardens entirely for their enjoyment. Regular inspection is the best defense. Check under leaves, around tender new growth, and near buds. Early detection makes control much easier. Many gardeners begin a preventive spraying schedule in June using products that are appropriate for the pests they commonly battle. Some prefer organic methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil, while others use conventional garden sprays. Whatever method you choose, consistency is key. The pests rarely take a vacation.

 

Staking should also be on every June checklist. Those sweet little plants of May can quickly become towering giants by July. Getting stakes or support systems in place now prevents heartbreak later when summer storms arrive and your favorite bloom decides to recline gracefully across the garden path.

 

June is a month of optimism in the Dahlia Garden. Every pinched stem, every bucket of water, every careful feeding, and every battle against pests is an investment in the beauty to come. Soon the garden will reward us with blooms that stop neighbors, visitors, and even passing delivery drivers in their tracks.

 

And somewhere out there, at least one dahlia is already plotting to grow taller than its stake just to keep us humble.

 

Until then, keep yourself hydrated, keep your dahlias hydrated, and remember—we're all surviving July together. See you in the garden...preferably somewhere with a little shade. 

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Happy Gardening! 🌸              Linda

If April is about anticipation, then May is when things start to feel real in the dahlia garden.

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By now, many of us have welcomed new tubers into our collections—because somehow, we never seem to have quite enough! This is the time we begin the process of “waking them up.” Some of you are potting them into containers, while others are using the tried-and-true plastic bag method with a little soil tucked around the tuber. Just remember, if you use a bag, don’t seal it. A little airflow goes a long way in keeping mold and rot from turning your excitement into disappointment.

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At the same time, some of our dahlias are waking up just fine on their own. I’ve found that second-year tubers, in particular, often do best when left alone. They seem to know exactly what they’re doing—and sometimes better than we do.

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This spring has been unseasonably warm, which can make it very tempting to plant early. But dahlias like warm soil, not just warm air. Waiting until the soil temperature reaches about 60 degrees can make all the difference. Planting too soon in cool, damp soil is one of the quickest ways to lose a tuber.

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When you do plant, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Lay the tuber horizontally about 4–6 inches deep, with the eye facing up. If you already have a sprout, handle it gently—it doesn’t take much to snap off that first hopeful shoot.

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Watering—A Gentle Start

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One of the hardest things to do is not water right away. Until you see green growth above the soil, it’s best to hold back. Once your dahlias are actively growing, then you can begin a regular, deep watering routine.

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Keeping an Eye on Things

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As those first leaves appear, so will the usual garden visitors. Aphids, thrips, and spider mites are always ready to join the party. Many growers begin spraying when plants are just a few inches tall. However you choose to manage pests, staying consistent will make your life much easier as the season progresses.

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Stake Now, Smile Later

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It’s always a good idea to stake at planting time. Dahlias grow quickly, and trying to add support later usually turns into a bit of a wrestling match—with the plant, the stake, and your patience. A sturdy stake now saves trouble later.

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A Little Update from My Garden

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My “Magic Tree” is still doing its job, helping with all that extra moisture we seem to get each winter and spring. But this year, I had to step in and do a little pruning. A few of my dahlias had their minds made up about reaching for the sun and were leaning just a bit too enthusiastically.

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Apparently, even in the dahlia garden, everyone wants their moment in the spotlight.

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May is such a hopeful time. Every new sprout feels like a small success, and every planted tuber carries the promise of summer blooms. Whether you’re carefully coaxing along new varieties or simply watching old favorites return, this is the month where it all begins to come together.

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Enjoy every bit of it—muddy hands, hopeful eyes, and all.

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Happy Gardening!  

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             Linda

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