Benefits of Growing Dahlias in Allotment Gardens

What are the benefits of growing Dahlias in allotment gardens? To begin with, there is less work involved. Pruning is required only if you want the blooms to flow down. This is easily achieved by pulling the plants towards the setting or deadheading them as you see fit. Pruning also encourages new growth as it thins the existing foliage.

1. Easy Maintenance

There are many benefits of growing dahlias in allotment gardens. They are easy to maintain and will provide you with blooms on a regular basis year round. You can place the flowers between the rows of your garden bed if you plan to. This will allow the full blooms to open up at sundown and provide color and beauty all day long. They also have the ability to produce and bloom more seeds than other plants.

2. Less Susceptibility to Diseases

One of the benefits of growing Dahlias in allotment gardens is that you will have a garden that is less susceptible to disease. This is because the fungus needs a moist environment where it can breed. Thatching will destroy many a flower and will result in the plant dying. Also, if you use an established clover bed, the chances of disease are slimming since the bacteria that cause disease don’t like the scent that these flowers emit. As long as you follow good growing practices (such as not overwashing) you can be fairly assured that your garden will stay healthy.

3. Survival

Dahlias do not have the ability to root and can survive in poor soils. You will have to prepare the soil before planting. Many people mistakenly believe that if it isn’t dry already that there is no need to water the plants. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Any type of soil will work.

4. Flexibility to Choose Varieties of Colors

They also come in a wide variety of colors including red, pink, white, yellow, and even purple. This gives you a lot of flexibility when choosing the color of the flowers that you want to grow. They do require slightly more care than other plants, but they are very easy to take care of. Some varieties of this plant even grow in containers. So you can easily change the look of your garden over time. It is great for people who do not have time to spend planting and caring for traditional gardens.

5. Habitat for Wildlife

Another one of the benefits of growing dahlias in an allotment garden is that you will be providing a habitat for wildlife. You might be surprised at how many species of birds visit gardens with these plants. Some of the most common are the Carolina Parakeet, the Black Redstart, and the Grey Junglefowl. Other bird species that might be found are gray foxes, small gray owls, and other ground running birds. You might also see chipmunks, squirrels, ground hogs, and raccoons.

6. Attracting Insects

Another one of the many benefits of growing dahlias in allotment gardens is that the flowers attract a lot of insects. Many gardeners complain that the traditional flowers such as roses and tulips don’t get very much attention. Having a garden where all the flowers bloom is like opening a door to a whole new world where every flower is noticed. You will even find that some birds will be attracted to the garden as well. Even bees and butterflies will be attracted to the garden and will deposit eggs in the flowerbeds.

7. Less Care is Sufficient

One of the final benefits of growing dahlias in allotment gardens is that they do not require a lot of care. They will bloom from seed, but you will also find that you can cut the plants pretty thin and just add a layer of topsoil and they will grow very well in most gardens. You can also feed the plants once a week. Allotment gardening provides a lot of the gardening needs with minimal maintenance so it’s a great idea for anyone looking for a more simplistic way of gardening.

8. Conclusion

Many people are under the impression that gardens are for pleasure only and many don’t realize the benefits of growing dahlias in a home garden. Most people see dahlias as beautiful purple, green or pink flower and wonder why anyone would want to grow them in their yard. The truth is that the beauty of this perennial flowering plant can be expanded to any size in a home garden.