It's been so warm, can I plant dahlias early this year? - Ask Extension
I usually wait until mid-may, but they haven't done great the last couple years (stringy, not many flowers) which I thought was maybe because it was a...
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It's been so warm, can I plant dahlias early this year? #928923
Asked April 20, 2026, 10:05 AM EDT
I usually wait until mid-may, but they haven't done great the last couple years (stringy, not many flowers) which I thought was maybe because it was already too hot? This year since it's already been so warm and the soil is dry (too dry!) can I go ahead and plant earlier?
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
We're not sure what you mean by "stringy" growth (that might be an indication of a virus, exposure to herbicide, or nematodes in the roots...heat stress would generally not cause "stringy" growth), but we would not plant early, given the upcoming cold snap as an example of the risk of damage. Have they been planted in full sun in prior years? If not, that might explain any floppy or stretched stems and poor flowering, unless something like deer or rabbits are eating the flower buds. Planting the Dahlias about a couple weeks from now should be fine, though, as temperatures are usually moderate enough by then, if not the end of April (especially in the warmer realm of Baltimore City as opposed to the cooler suburbs).
Miri
Miri
