Dahlias do well in soil to which a compost or organic matter, etc. has been added. Approximately 6 weeks after planting, a commercial fertilizer can be applied. A commercial fertilizer can be applied every 3 weeks thereafter.

It is recommended that dahlias not be fertilized after midsummer (approximately Aug 15 in our area); this will result in dahlia tubers that will store better over the winter.

A handful of bone meal per tuber when planting is bene ficial to the formation of healthy dahlia tubers and root systems. Once the plants are established, a top dressing of compost or manure is also extremely recommended.