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This article was originally written by Peter Roberti, a longtime member and current Vice President of the Rhode Island Dahlia Society (as of 2026), reflecting on his experience at the 2024 American Dahlia Society National Show. It has been lightly edited for the RIDS blog. My name is Peter Roberti, and I grow dahlias on a small farm called Forge Road Farm in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. I've been growing dahlias for over twenty years, starting in my Dad's garden, and I've b

Learn how to grow Café au Lait dahlias from tuber to bloom. Planting depth, spacing, sunlight, indoor starting tips, and grow bag advice for Rhode Island and New England gardeners.

Originally published in "Organic Gardening and Farming" (May 1964) by Harry L. Dixon, this timeless advice holds up beautifully for today’s organic gardeners. Raised for their beauty, dahlias respond incredibly well to organic care. Here is Dixon’s classic guide to producing prize-winning blooms. There is no good reason why you cannot grow prize-winning dahlias just as well as the neighbor you envy. If you want to start a collection of awards, follow these foundational steps

Congratulations on your new tubers! Whether you joined us for our annual May sale in North Kingstown or Bristol, following these professional growing tips will ensure your dahlias thrive in the New England climate. When to Plant Dahlia Tubers in Rhode Island Dahlias are tropical plants and do not like the cold. In Rhode Island and surrounding states, tubers should be planted outdoors at the same time you would plant warm-weather vegetables like tomatoes or eggplants. Optimal