Lessons From Our Dahlia Fields: What We Learned in 2026

Every growing season teaches us something new. Here are a few things we've learned growing dahlias at Sun Seeker Flowers that might help you grow healthier plants and more beautiful blooms in your own garden.

1. Keep the water at the roots, not on the leaves.

This year we switched to drip irrigation, and it made a big difference! Wet foliage can encourage diseases like downy mildew and Botrytis, especially in humid conditions. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, keeps foliage drier, and reduces water waste.

For the backyard gardener: You don't need a fancy irrigation system. A watering can or hose directed at the base of each plant works just as well for keeping leaves dry. Water deeply rather than giving the plants a quick sprinkle.

2. Dahlias are hungry plants!

This season we fed our dahlias about every other week using Neptune's Harvest fertilizer through our drip irrigation system. We started with a nitrogen-rich fish fertilizer to encourage strong early growth, then switched to a bloom-focused formula as the plants matured and began producing flowers.

We found that feeding at the roots worked well for us, rather than relying on foliar feeding.

For the backyard gardener: You can use the same approach with a watering can! Mix a water-soluble fertilizer according to the label and water around the base of your plants. There's no need for a commercial irrigation setup.

3. Grow With Intention

As our farm has grown, we've become more intentional about the dahlias we choose to grow. We're gradually narrowing our collection to focus on productive varieties in beautiful fall colors, with strong stems and long-lasting vase life. For us, it's about growing flowers we can rely on for bouquets and arrangements throughout the season.

But your reasons might be completely different! Maybe you love enormous dinnerplate blooms, unusual colors, or simply watching something beautiful grow in your garden. As you expand your dahlia collection, you'll discover which varieties you love most—and what makes them special to you.