Dahlias - Resources
- Karsen Odle
- Jan 13
- 4 min read
Dahlias can be a bit challenging to grow, but with the right tools and resources you can find success in your first year.
Learning Resources
Erin, with Floret, has been my biggest influence and inspiration in the world of dahlias. She is always sharing knowledge from her 20+ years of growing dahlias and providing free resources for home gardeners and farmers. Linked below are two of my most referenced works of hers.
"We are a family-run flower farm & seed company specializing in breeding new cut flower varieties for gardeners, farmers & designers. Our thriving research & education farm is dedicated to giving flower lovers the tools & information they need to grow the gardens of their dreams."
- Floret Flowers
Tuber Resources
Sunny Meadows Flower Farm is where I purchased my first dahlia tubers from in 2023. They are a family farm with a great selection of good quality tubers. About half of my collection includes dahlia tubers from their farm.
"What started as a small patch in their homestead garden has grown over the past two decades to become one of the nation's most respected flower farms and a leader in sustainable flower production. Located just 6 miles from downtown Columbus, Ohio, Sunny Meadows grows more than 500 varieties of flowers on 50+ acres across four farm locations, making it one of the largest urban flower farms in the Midwest."
- Sunny Meadows
I ordered from Russells Mills for the first time last Spring (2025) and was very impressed by the quality of tubers and attention to detail with the shipping and packaging. I definitely plan on ordering new tubers from this farm the next time I expand my collection.
"Now as one of the largest dahlia growers in the US, this achievement is a nod to our belief in the sustainability and quality of American agriculture and our commitment to supporting the locally grown movement. Our mission, driven by the inherent beauty and power of flowers, is to share their transformative essence with people everywhere."
- Russells Mills
Petal Back Farm is another dahlia producer I am fairly new to, and they quickly became a favorite. I placed my first order in Spring 2025 and have already been a repeat customer! One of my favorite things about this farm is the Owner's monthly email newsletter called "Happy Hour" where she breaks down current happenings on the farm, shares any upcoming sales, and is sure to include several jokes sprinkled in between.
"'Petal Back' is an ode to the flowers, of course, but also to our inclination to get back to the land with our 'old-fashioned' hobbies ... like gardening, herbalism, producing maple syrup, raising chickens and honeybees, hunting, and foraging. We also love a good ol' fashioned happy hour and often combine all of these seemingly simple things into one wild time!"
- Petal Back Farm
I am very excited about the selection of dahlia tubers The Farmhouse Flower Farm has to offer. They have many varieties I have not been able to find from other growers and I cannot wait to shop their tuber sale this year!
"When I discovered flower farming, I fell in love with the idea of showing our children the joy of a life of digging in the dirt, being outside and growing beauty. So we took the leap, sold our home in the suburbs, bought the farm, and became flower farmers. It was a big jump, but it was so worth it. ... So here we are, our little family, growing a life we love and making a difference in the soul of our community one beautiful bloom at a time."
- The Farmhouse Flower Farm
Specialty Dahlias
If you are looking for new and never before seen dahlias, also known as "Unicorn Dahlias", explore the varieties offered from the farms below. These farms almost exclusively sell their own dahlias, bred and developed in their fields. New dahlias are released every year and provide some unique options to add to your garden.
"We're a small family-run farm nestled in Olympia, Washington. Our passion lies in cultivating and selling exquisite cut dahlias and tubers."
- River Merle Farm
"The heartbeat of Coseytown Flowers is firmly rooted in developing the best possible dahlia cultivars for profitable cut flower production - Coseytown® Cut Flower Dahlias. Our hybridization priorities have been shaped by our own experiences, and frustrations, as a cut flower farm in search of the best varieties to bring maximum impact to our operation and bottom line... and our enjoyment as dahlia enthusiasts too!"
- Coseytown Flowers
Gardening Tools Resources
Plant Tags/Labels - Link
Once dug, all tubers look very similar, so it is very important to label the plants when they are blooming, this way you know which is which after the first frost. Labels can be anything from label stakes stuck in the dirt to flagging tape tied around the base of the plant.
Cages/Netting/Stakes for Stabilization - Link
Dahlias can grow tall and get very top heavy, so it is helpful to provide some support for the plant to help with stand strong winds or simply it's increasing height.
Sharp Shears for Cutting Flowers - Link
A good strong pair of shears can go a long way in assisting with cutting your flowers.
Pitchfork - Link
When it is time to dig up your dahlia tubers at the end of the season, we have found a pitchfork works the best. It loosens the soil enough that the tubers don't break off when being lifted out of the ground. It also prevents you from accidently slicing a tuber in half with a shovel, or crawling around on your hands and knees digging with a spade.
Long Sharp Shears for Dividing - Link
Different from the shears you might use to cut the stems of your flowers, the easiest shears to use for dividing tubers have long thin blades. These help ensure accuracy as you might have to make tight cuts between two tubers.
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