Here's my method of attack:)
1. I wait until the end of May to plant. By then, most tubers will have shown growth. If they haver not shown growth by this time, I will probably discard. MS dahlias usually have a lot of growth at this time and I really should plant them earlier. Oh well...
2. I plant 2 tubers per stake. I only plant tubers with visible buds.
3. When you plant late, they come up quicker. A couple of years ago, I ordered some end of season sale dahlias from Swan Island. Planted them in the first week of June. They did as well if not better than dahlias that I had planted in early May.
4. I do not need dahlias blooming in July. August, September and October is just fine!
