Dahlia Seed Sowing for Success

It’s the perfect time to start dahlia seeds!

With just about a month left until our average last frost, we’re closing in on some of the last opportunities to sow dahlia seeds this growing season.

In eastern Massachusetts, dahlias need a 4-6 week head start indoors before transplanting into the garden or containers. We’re closing in on our average last frost date of May 11th - 20th here in zone 7a, so it’s recommended that you get sowing by April 15th-ish.*

(*ish because we all know that gardeners are famous for pushing our timelines)

Important Points About Starting Dahlias From Seed

Indra Clark of Maritima Gardens, a landscape designer and horticulturist practicing ecological gardening in the Cape Ann area, has this to say:

• Dahlia seeds germinate irregularly, so be patient.

• Seedlings need weekly feeding with a diluted fish-based fertilizer (or more often if they start to look weak and tired).

• Dahlia seedlings can grow tubers FAST! so proactively size up pots to avoid unnecessary transplanting issues or stress.

Cape Ann Gardens is offering dahlia seeds from Indra’s own plot in East Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Seeds were collected from Indra’s favorite blooms, and though they won’t sprout true to their parent, the photographs we’ve included in the product listing are all representative of the variation that we anticipate you’ll see in your own plants.

Enjoy!