Should I Buy Dahlia Tubers Now or Wait for Plants?
Asked by G4rdenL0ver92
Hey everyone! I've just cleared out a border in my garden that gets some good light, and I'm really eager to plant some Dahlias. I'm wondering if it would be better to buy tubers now, start them indoors, and then transplant them outside later? Or would it be easier to wait a couple of months and just buy established plants to put in the ground? I'm a total beginner and I'm trying to stick to a budget. By the way, I'm in NE England, so we're still dealing with a few light frosts at night.
Answers
If you’re on a budget, tubers are definitely the way to go! They're way cheaper and you get a lot more options compared to buying plants. I started mine in pots last year and they did great indoors. Just an FYI, you can also plant tubers directly outside after the frost. I lost some to slugs when I tried that though, so keep an eye out for pests!
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I usually start my Dahlias indoors to keep them safe until they're strong enough to go outside. I've had issues with slugs munching on my plants before when I put them out too soon. Definitely worth hogging them inside for a bit longer!
G4rdenL0ver92: Good idea! I think I might try that for the extra protection.
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Honestly, it sounds like waiting to buy the plants is the simplest route if you want to avoid any "am I doing this right?" stress. But, if you're willing to try, you might find some spare tubers in local groups that can save you some money! Good luck with your garden!
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G4rdenL0ver92: Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to watch out for slugs when I put them outside.