Tararua Dahlias

Nestled in the heart of the Tararua, in the small town of Pahiatua, lies Tararua Dahlias. Here, rows of dahlias bloom in vibrant colours grow—each one grown with love and care.Through the warmer months the garden comes alive with the colours of the rainbow, swaying gently in the breeze. Bees and butterflies float from petal to petal. This is a small local garden with a big heart. Tararua Dahlias brings a touch of cottage-garden charm to every bouquet.

At Taruara Dahlias...

I am pleased to offer a selection of Agdia-tested dahlia tubers for the first time. These tubers have been tested using Agdia combination test strips for CMV, INSV, TSV, and TSWV. In our upcoming sale, look for the "Agdia" prefix to identify these specially tested varieties.Please note that Agdia-tested tubers are priced higher to reflect the significant cost of purchasing and carrying out the testing process. These tubers are intended for customers who would like the additional reassurance that comes with virus testing.The higher price of these tested tubers should not be interpreted as a reflection on the health or quality of our other tubers. I carefully monitor my stock and will remove any plants that show signs of poor health. All tubers offered for sale are grown to the same high standard of care and quality. The Agdia-tested option is simply an additional service provided in response to customer requests for verified virus testing.

TUBER SALE
The tubers will remain under the ground fattening up until late June, when I will dig them up and separate them. What will be available in the sale will depend on how well the plant did in producing tubers and my own requirements.At this point the sale has been penciled in for late in July, or early August, depending on how long it takes for me to dig and split.At the moment the shop shows all the cultivars I grow and are not final as to what will be in the sale.All tubers sold will be either in a small clump of 1-2 tubers or individual tubers - please keep this in mind when purchasing.Ultimately, I only send what I would be happy to receive.They will be sent out to customers starting from the 01/09 with the pre-sale customers receiving their orders first.Click below to see.

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How to grow dahlias from seed

How to Grow Dahlias from Seed in New ZealandDahlias thrive in NZ gardens and are perfect for adding bold summer colour—here’s how to grow them successfully from seed!When & How to Plant
• Sow seeds indoors August–October (late winter–spring)
• Or sow directly outdoors October–November once frost risk has passed
• Plant seeds 0.5 cm (¼ inch) deep
• Space seeds 2–5 cm apart in trays
• Germination takes 7–14 daysSoil & Conditions
• Ideal soil temperature: 18–24°C
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
• Use well-draining soil enriched with compost
• Choose a sunny, sheltered spot (important in windy areas)Care Tips
• Keep soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging
• Transplant when seedlings have 2–3 true leaves
• Space plants 30–60 cm apart in the garden
• Ensure full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Feed with a balanced fertiliser during growth
• Pinch tips early to encourage bushy plants
• Stake taller varieties—especially in exposed NZ gardensSeasonal Notes for NZ
• Dahlias flower from December through autumn
• In colder regions (South Island, inland areas), lift tubers after the first frost and store over winter
• In warmer areas, tubers can often be left in the ground with mulchSeed-grown dahlias produce unique, one-of-a-kind blooms—no two plants are the same!Happy Growing!

Gallery

Red Bed

Orange bed

Yellow/White beds

Blush/Light Pink bed

Hot pink

Purple bed

Dahlia tubers - storage and planting

Growing Dahlias in New Zealand – Planting & Storage GuideDahlias are a summer garden favourite in NZ, producing vibrant blooms right through to autumn. Here’s how to plant, grow, and store them for success year after year,When & How to Plant
• Plant tubers September–November (North Island)
• October–December (South Island / colder)
• Wait until frost risk has passed and soil has warmed
• Plant 10–15 cm deep
• Space 30–75 cm apart depending on variety
• Choose a sunny, sheltered spotSoil & Growing Conditions
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
• Use well-draining soil with compost
• Avoid cold, wet soil (can rot tubers)
• Aim for soil temps above 15°CCare Tips
• Water lightly at first, then regularly once growing
• Feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser
• Pinch tips early for bushy plants
• Stake taller varieties (important in windy NZ )
And mulch to retain moistureLifting & Storage (Winter)
• Lift tubers after the first frost blackens foliage
• Cut stems down and gently dig up tubers
• Let dry for a few days
• Store in a cool, dry, frost-free place (4–10°C)
• Use boxes with sawdust, sand, or material
• Ensure airflow to prevent rotNZ Growing Notes
• In warmer areas, tubers can sometimes stay in the ground
• In wet or cold regions, lifting is best to avoid rot
• Flowering runs from early summer through autumnDahlias are easy to grow and reward you with stunning, long-lasting blooms—perfect for any NZ garden!Happy gardening