Once a dahlia plant has attained a size that warrants some protection from wind and rain, it's time to think about securing the plant to a stake.

After the soil is ready drive in your stakes. These should be at least one and a half metres tall and can be spaced one to one and a half metres apart in the rows, with rows one to one and a half metres apart as well. Plant one tuber on each side of the stake. This allows one stake to serve two plants and cuts down on the number of stakes required.

The method we use is just to pass a soft wide garden twine around the plant about halfway up. Tie an overhand knot and gently draw the knot until the plant starts to draw up slightly. Finish by tying a couple more overhand knots and finally just secure one end in to the stake.