How to build a strong dahlia bed: keep your dahlias standing tall
A question I get asked quite often is: “How do you make sure your dahlias stay upright and don’t blow over?”
Well, here’s exactly how we do it at FAM Flower Farm.
We place sturdy stakes into the ground and stretch a roll of metal garden mesh across them. The mesh is attached at around knee height – about 50 cm off the ground – using zip ties.
Once the dahlia season is over, we simply roll up the netting, pull the stakes out, and start dreaming up a new garden layout for next season.
It’s a simple and sustainable method and that’s exactly how we like it!
How to create and support a dahlia bed
You can make your dahlia bed as large or small as your space allows. We make ours about 1 metre wide, which fits the width of the mesh perfectly. This also gives us enough room to reach in for deadheading, picking and weeding.
Length? That’s entirely up to you. Just cut the mesh to size and match the number of stakes to your bed’s layout.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A garden auger for making the holes
- A rubber mallet or a heavy brick to tap in the stakes
- Zip ties to attach the mesh securely
- Garden stakes, about 150 cm tall
- A roll of metal garden mesh, ideally 1 metre wide
Step-by-step – here’s how we do it:
We buy our stakes and mesh at the local DIY store. The stakes we use are 150 cm long and pointed at one end for easier placement in the soil. Start at one end of the bed by placing two stakes – these will hold the start of your mesh. Hold the mesh roll next to them so you know exactly how far apart to set the stakes (about 1 metre). Drill a hole about 50 cm deep using the garden auger. Then gently hammer the stake into place using your mallet. Continue down the length of the bed, placing a stake every 2 metres or so.
Once all stakes are in, hook the start of the mesh to the first set of stakes and roll it all the way to the end of your bed. You’ll have a nice long stretch of support running the full length. At first, we keep the mesh higher up so we can still get to the tubers and weed the bed easily. Once the plants reach knee height, we lower the mesh into position and secure it tightly with zip ties. It’s neat, reusable and does a great job keeping your dahlia stems from flopping in heavy wind or rain.
If you’re not growing many dahlias or want an easier setup, try this: Place 3 or 4 bamboo canes around each plant and tie them together loosely with garden twine. It’s a quick, effective way to keep individual plants upright.
Do you prefer low-growing varieties?
All dahlia varieties can also be grown in pots. This is easiest with the low-growing varieties, the plants that grow taller require a little more attention.
Below is a selection of our low pot varieties:
Our dahlia tubers are available to order from January 1st until the end of May. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date and inspired.
It may take some effort, but you will have a lot of fun. Good luck!
About guest blogger Laura
Hi! My name is Laura and I’m a guest blogger for FAM Flower Farm. I’m a big dahlia fan and love sharing my flower-growing adventures on Instagram at @takkewijflaura.
Sowing flower seeds and growing dahlias is a journey of trial and discovery – no year is ever quite the same! But that’s what makes it fun. I believe in simply starting, learning as you go, and adding a little humour along the way. I hope I can inspire you to get outside, get your hands dirty, and start growing happiness.
#spreadtheloveforflowers
Warm wishes, (takkewijf)Laura
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