How to Grow Dahlias
5 Activities
Grades 3 - 8
6 Hours 50 Minutes
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Overview
“How to Grow Dahlias: A Full-Season Garden Guide”
Once your learners know “Things to Know Before You Grow,” it’s time to dig into the garden and get their hands dirty with one of the most beloved and magical plants of all—dahlias! In this joyful, in-depth module, youth follow the full life cycle of a dahlia, from inspecting tubers in spring to harvesting show-stopping blooms, and finally saving those tubers for next season’s magic. Along the way, they’ll learn how to identify healthy tubers, prep and plant with confidence, care for their plants organically, and participate in the fall tradition of cutting back, dividing, and overwintering their garden’s gold.
The “How to Grow Dahlias” collection includes five hands-on lessons and a library of interactive worksheets, journal pages, and planting-day checklists—plus several engaging “how-to” videos from Farmer Steph herself. Whether you’re growing dahlias in a schoolyard bed or in containers on a sunny windowsill, this module turns your classroom into a bloom-filled lab where kids learn to nurture life, track seasonal change, and celebrate every stage of the growing cycle.
By the end of this series, students won’t just grow flowers—they’ll grow confidence, observation skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty they helped bring to life.
Continue Your Journey
1
Tuber Trouble or Garden Gold?: How to Perform a Dahlia Tuber Health Check
Before planting, it’s important to know if your dahlia tubers are ready to grow—or headed for the compost bin! In this hands-on science and garden investigation lesson, students become garden scientists by learning how to evaluate the health of a dahlia tuber. Using visual guides, observation, and a detailed health check worksheet, students will sort tubers into "Plant Me," "Needs Help," or "Compost Bin." They'll gain confidence identifying healthy growing signs—like firmness and visible eyes—and learn how to identify a healthy vs an unhealthy dahlia tuber.
This activity is 1 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
2
Prep, Plant, Bloom! How to Plant a Dahlia Tuber
Let’s dig in! After checking for healthy tubers and learning how they work, it's time to plant! This hands-on lesson will teach students how to properly prep and plant their dahlia tubers. From prepping garden beds to placing the tubers at the proper depth, students will experience the joy and responsibility of kickstarting the growing season. They will also learn why placement, spacing, and soil health are essential for producing strong, beautiful blooms.
This activity is 2 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
3
From Bud to Bloom: How to Organically Care For & Harvest Dahlias
Now that your dahlias are planted and thriving, it’s time to learn how to care for them as they grow—and how to harvest them at their peak! In this hands-on lesson, students will explore supporting healthy dahlia plants through watering, pest monitoring, pinching, and staking. Then they’ll learn when and how to harvest dahlias to enjoy long-lasting, vibrant blooms.
This activity is 3 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
4
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 1: Buried Treasure – Cut Back & Dig Up Dahlia Tubers
Students will learn how and when to cut back dahlia plants after frost and safely dig up the tubers for overwintering. Through observation, they’ll track seasonal indicators and begin hands-on harvesting and data collection to prepare tubers for drying.
This activity is 4 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resources and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
5
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 2: Split & Save – Divide and Store Tubers
In this activity, students will learn about tuber anatomy after drying and practice safe division techniques. Then, they will examine and document the tubers' healthy eyes, necks, and bodies. Finally, they will prepare the tubers for proper storage based on the climate. This is the second part of a two-part activity.
This activity is 5 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
How to Grow Dahlias
Overview
Continue Your Journey
1
Tuber Trouble or Garden Gold?: How to Perform a Dahlia Tuber Health Check
Before planting, it’s important to know if your dahlia tubers are ready to grow—or headed for the compost bin! In this hands-on science and garden investigation lesson, students become garden scientists by learning how to evaluate the health of a dahlia tuber. Using visual guides, observation, and a detailed health check worksheet, students will sort tubers into "Plant Me," "Needs Help," or "Compost Bin." They'll gain confidence identifying healthy growing signs—like firmness and visible eyes—and learn how to identify a healthy vs an unhealthy dahlia tuber.
This activity is 1 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
2
Prep, Plant, Bloom! How to Plant a Dahlia Tuber
Let’s dig in! After checking for healthy tubers and learning how they work, it's time to plant! This hands-on lesson will teach students how to properly prep and plant their dahlia tubers. From prepping garden beds to placing the tubers at the proper depth, students will experience the joy and responsibility of kickstarting the growing season. They will also learn why placement, spacing, and soil health are essential for producing strong, beautiful blooms.
This activity is 2 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
3
From Bud to Bloom: How to Organically Care For & Harvest Dahlias
Now that your dahlias are planted and thriving, it’s time to learn how to care for them as they grow—and how to harvest them at their peak! In this hands-on lesson, students will explore supporting healthy dahlia plants through watering, pest monitoring, pinching, and staking. Then they’ll learn when and how to harvest dahlias to enjoy long-lasting, vibrant blooms.
This activity is 3 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
4
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 1: Buried Treasure – Cut Back & Dig Up Dahlia Tubers
Students will learn how and when to cut back dahlia plants after frost and safely dig up the tubers for overwintering. Through observation, they’ll track seasonal indicators and begin hands-on harvesting and data collection to prepare tubers for drying.
This activity is 4 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resources and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
5
How to Cut Back, Dig Up, Divide & Store Dahlia Tubers Part 2: Split & Save – Divide and Store Tubers
In this activity, students will learn about tuber anatomy after drying and practice safe division techniques. Then, they will examine and document the tubers' healthy eyes, necks, and bodies. Finally, they will prepare the tubers for proper storage based on the climate. This is the second part of a two-part activity.
This activity is 5 of 5 in the "How to Grow Dahlias" module from Farm to Table Kids. Visit the module to view the full set of learning resource and learn more about Part 1 of the module series, "Things to Know Before You Grow."
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.