SAN LEANDRO DAHLIA SOCIETY
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    • Can we be water wise?
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    • Preparing the soil
    • How do I plant tubers?
    • Video lessons in dahlia growing
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  • Visit ADS
  • Fun Photos .. and not so fun photos
  • Potluck 2024
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  • Garden at Lake Merritt July 2025
  • judging seminar 2025
  • BOARD MEETING

Preparing the soil

Now is a good time to  test your soil for nutrients.  You can find a soil testing kit at a local nursery and do it yourself.  Sending soil samples for testing is more expensive but may produce better results.  You can google "soil testing labs" and choose  one that sounds good to you.  

Adding compost is always a good idea.  Using your own homemade or bags or ordering by the yard depends on  the size of your plot, your energy level, and the size of your wallet.  Have you heard of "zoo poo?"  Oakland Zoo has lots of it.  Just after you pass the kiosk (before driving to the parking lot) you turn left and enter the composting area.  It's free.  

Rototilling - some people work the soil each year to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.  Others say that disturbs the micronutrients and don't til, but they turn the soil around each plant location.  Tilling is not helpful to the local worms ... that's for sure!  


Colorado Dahlia Society has detailed descriptions of preparing dahlia plots ... Check out their site for lots more information.
Colorado Dahlia Society Soil Preparation
Picture
In this photo, Curtis is working horse manure into his dahlia beds.  

Picture
Here, another dahlia lover uses "homemade" compost and fava beans to enrich the soil.  

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Copyright © 2015
  • Home
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
    • Our Member's Gardens
    • Photos
    • Society photos
    • History of San Leandro Dahlia Society
    • Our Meetings
    • Junior Growers
  • Contact
  • Growing & Showing Dahlias
    • 2025 Dahlia shows
    • 2024 Dahlia Show
    • 2023 Dahla show
    • 2022 Dahlia Show
    • Digging and Dividing Tubers
    • 2021 Dahla Show
    • Dahlia Show 2020
    • Dahlia show 2019
    • DAHLIA SHOW 2018
    • Dahlia Show, 2017
    • Dahlia Show 2015
    • Dahlia Show 2014
    • Casa Peralta
    • Root Park Garden
    • Can we be water wise?
    • How do I grow beautiful dahlias?
    • Preparing the soil
    • How do I plant tubers?
    • Video lessons in dahlia growing
  • Join us!
  • Visit ADS
  • Fun Photos .. and not so fun photos
  • Potluck 2024
  • PSWD conference 2024
  • San Leandro cherry Festival 2024
  • Photos of 2025 meetings and doings
  • Garden at Lake Merritt July 2025
  • judging seminar 2025
  • BOARD MEETING