ROYAL FLOWER GARDENS 
Brief Suggestions To The 
Amateur Grower 
* * * * 
A good gardener generally raises a good dahlia gar¬ 
den. 
The hole in which a dahlia is expected to grow should 
receive as much attention as the selection of the 
dahlia. 
Prepare the planting spot well and place the support¬ 
ing stake. 
Dig a hole next to and around the stake about 10 
inches wide by 7 to 8 inches deep, place one 
handful of bone meal therein and mix well with 
the soil before planting. 
Place root in flat position with the eye turned up. 
Cover about 2 inches with soil, as the plant grows 
fill in around the stem with soil until ground is 
level, except in heavy clay soil, care being taken 
at all times not to injure the bud. 
Plant about the last week in May. Earlier in some 
sections; later in others. The dahlia requires 
about 90 to 105 days to bloom from planting date. 
Keep the soil well cultivated throughout the season, 
and prevent weeds from outgrowing the plant. 
Cultivating deep only until the plants bud then 
use the garden rake to keep soil loose close to the 
plant. 
Water plants during hot weather at least once each 
week. Do not merely sprinkle them, but soak 
them. Better done not in the heat of the day. 
Tie the plant to the supporting stake with soft cord 
at intervals of about 12 inches. This will prevent 
the bush from injury due to wind and storm. 
Spray with a good insecticide at least every two 
weeks. We have had good results with Red Ar¬ 
row, Blackleaf 40, and Evergreen, using as directed 
by instructions on label. 
About August 1 scatter a handful of bone meal around 
the plant—staying away at least 6 inches from 
stem—rake lightly into the soil. Repeat in about 
two or three weeks. A good commercial fertili¬ 
zer may be used in place of bone meal if avail¬ 
able—formula 2-6-10 is very successful for some 
garden soils. 
Watering thoroughly after fertilizing will be beneficial, 
providing it does not rain. After buds start to 
form be sure your dahlia garden does not dry 
out. It is better to have a little too much mois¬ 
ture from this date on than to allow the roots to 
become too dry. 
Page Twenty-four 
