3 Crucial July Tasks Your Dahlias Need Right Now for Massive Blooms

July Garden Tasks for Dahlias

July is here, and with it, the first dahlia blooms are beginning to appear. While this is a beautiful sight, it’s not the time to relax. There are several maintenance tasks that need to be addressed in July to ensure your dahlia display remains vibrant throughout the season.

Growing dahlias is relatively simple as long as their basic needs are met. During the summer months, this includes deep watering, regular fertilizing, and pruning to encourage more blooms. Additionally, providing support for the tallest stems is crucial to prevent them from flopping over or snapping.

You can also start cutting your dahlia stems for vase arrangements this month, which is an effective way to extend the blooming period. Make sure you have sharp gardening snips on hand, such as these from Amazon.

Fertilize Weekly

Now that your dahlias are blooming, they are using a lot of energy, and the nutrients in the soil are depleting quickly. That’s why establishing a regular fertilizing regime in July is essential.

“You can feed your dahlias as often as weekly when they start flowering,” says Rachel Bull, Homes & Gardens Head of Gardens. “A liquid high-potash feed is my go-to, as it encourages profuse, vibrant blooms.”

Look for a fertilizer with high potassium numbers, such as this specific dahlia fertilizer on Amazon. Alternatively, you can use a tomato feed (like this Espoma one from Walmart) since it is also high in potassium.

Complement this with a layer of organic mulch or compost to provide a consistent supply of nutrients and help retain moisture during hot summer days. Apply up until early fall to boost essential plant nutrients and encourage a longer blooming period.

Stake Tall Stems

Dahlias are one of the plants that require staking, especially for the larger varieties (such as this Noordwijks Glorie Dinnerplate Dahlia from Amazon).

Failing to provide support can result in top-heavy blooms that flop over or even snap in the wind. There are various solutions for staking dahlias, from using tree cuttings for a natural support system to bamboo stakes (like this pack from Walmart).

Typically, a plant support of 4-6 feet in height is ideal for dahlias, although this depends on the specific variety’s ultimate height. Use soft ties or jute twine (like this from Amazon) to attach the stems to the stake, so it doesn’t cut into the flower stems. You can also use the figure-of-eight tie to prevent the stems from rubbing against the stake.

Keep Deadheading

Now that dahlias are blooming, it’s time to stay on top of deadheading. Removing spent flowers will redirect the plant’s energy into producing more blooms.

“Harvesting cut dahlia stems as part of a cutting garden is one of the best ways to prolong your dahlia’s display,” Rachel adds.

Whether you’re cutting flowering stems or deadheading dahlias, always use sharp and clean gardening snips (like these Fiskars ones from Amazon) and cut down the stem to a set of leaves. This ensures the plant will put out new growth from the nodes and provide even more blooms until early fall.

Shop Dahlia Essentials

Liquid Dahlia Fertilizer
This liquid dahlia feed is packed with nutrients to support blooming and encourage a longer display. Dilute with water to apply.

Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears
These bypass pruning shears have a steel blade to make clean cuts. They’re perfect for cutting dahlia stems.

4ft Bamboo Stakes
These 4ft bamboo stakes are ideal for supporting medium-height dahlia varieties. You get 25 in this pack.

If you want an even more magnificent dahlia display this year and they haven’t yet started blooming, now is the time to pinch out dahlias and encourage bushier growth. You can also strengthen your display by incorporating dahlia companion plants nearby.