Hart's Dr. McMurray

It is generally recommended to soak dahlia tubers in water for a few hours before planting to help rehydrate them and encourage the growth of healthy roots. This is especially important if the tubers have been in storage for a long period of time or if the soil is dry.

Hart's Dr. McMurray dahlias will only benefit from soaking before planting to ensure optimal growth and performance if you use lukewarm water. So no cold or warm water, but lukewarm. Also, do not soak the tubers for longer than 2 hours, otherwise, they’ll rot.

Hart's Dr. McMurray dahlias are typically planted in the spring after the last frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. In most regions, this would be sometime between mid-May and early June. The exact timing of planting will depend on your specific location and climate.

It's important to wait until the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit before planting, as dahlias need warm soil to thrive. If you live in a colder climate, you can start the dahlias indoors in pots a few weeks before the last frost date and transplant them outside once the weather warms up.

To wake up Hart's Dr. McMurray dahlia tubers, begin by removing them from storage and allowing them to warm up to room temperature for a few hours. Next, inspect each tuber for signs of rot or damage and discard any that are unhealthy.

To encourage sprouting, place the tubers in a shallow tray filled with moist potting soil, with the eyes or buds facing upward. Keep the tray in a warm, bright location and maintain consistent moisture levels, watering only when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Once new growth appears, gradually acclimate the dahlias to outdoor conditions before transplanting them to their permanent location.

Before planting Hart's Dr. McMurray dahlias, it's important to prepare the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This will improve the soil structure and provide essential nutrients for the dahlias.

Additionally, you can add a balanced fertilizer to the soil, such as a blend with an N-P-K ratio of 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 is ideal for these plants. The N-P-K ratio indicates the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the fertilizer, respectively.

It's also a good idea to ensure that the soil is well-draining, as dahlias prefer moist but not waterlogged soil. Finally, you may want to consider applying a layer of mulch around the dahlias to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.