10/15/2026
Dahlias are a favourite for so many of us, and it’s easy to see why! Their incredible colours, shapes, and sizes make them truly spectacular flowers. But what many people don’t realize is that dahlias are also one of the most labour-intensive flowers for a flower farmer to grow.
When someone questions why locally grown flowers can be expensive, I try to share a little insight into what goes on behind the scenes. It’s not just the cost of seeds, bulbs, and plants. There are so many other expenses involved, including soil, water, fertilizers, soil amendments, infrastructure, pest control, and, of course, labour.
And the labour involved in growing these beautiful blooms is incredible!
Once the season comes to an end, the work is far from over. Tubers must be carefully dug up, and the stems cut back. Hours are spent washing the dirt from them in the cold, wet autumn weather. Then comes the painstaking process of dividing large clumps of tubers, making sure each division is healthy and viable. They must be properly dried and cured before being stored, and checked regularly for months to prevent rot and ensure they survive until spring.
And when spring finally arrives, the cycle begins all over again with planting, pinching, fertilizing, and carefully harvesting each bloom at the right stage.
So the next time you admire a beautiful dahlia, remember that there is so much more behind that flower than meets the eye. There are months of hard work, knowledge, patience, and dedication invested in every single bloom.
When you buy locally grown flowers, you’re not just paying for a flower. You’re supporting the time, care, passion, and countless hours of work that go into growing something truly beautiful. 🌸
