Dahlia, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown dahlia. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Plant dahlia tubers. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Deadhead the dahlia. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Pinch out the tips of the dahlia. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none |
| Take the side buds off the dahlia. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none |
| Lift and store the dahlia. | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
If your skin is sensitive, wear gloves to prune or cut it.
Weaker source: Longfield Gardens (outside the UK).
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March to April, 5mm deep. Strong sources: RHS and Sarah Raven.
Plant out in May, 60cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown dahlia June to August, 60cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant dahlia tubers in April, 60cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Deadhead the dahlia
Usually June to November. Strong source: RHS.
Pinch out the tips of the dahlia
Nip out the tip just above a pair of leaves, so the plant branches there and grows bushier.
Usually June to July. Strong sources: RHS and National Dahlia Society.
Take the side buds off the dahlia
Gardeners call this disbudding.
For bigger flowers to show or cut, nip out the smaller buds behind the large central bud.
Usually July. Strong source: RHS.
Lift and store the dahlia
Pack the dried tubers in shallow crates, covered with dry spent compost, sand, straw or newspaper.
Usually November. Strong source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Dahlia” comes from.