Transition Farm Dahlia Tuber Sale Information & Policies
OUR DAHLIA TUBER SALE BEGINS WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER AT 7PM
Transition Farm Dahlia Tuber Sale Information & Policies
Thank you for your interest in our dahlia tuber sale.
The following information explains how our sale operates, our shipping procedures, and the policies that help us provide healthy, high-quality tubers and the best possible customer service. By placing an order, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these policies.
0.0 Definitions
Customer – The person placing the order.
Household – All orders delivered to the same residential address.
Order Confirmation – The email confirming successful payment.
Tuber – One saleable dahlia tuber, unless otherwise stated.
1.0 Newsletter Updates
1.1 We will send newsletter updates before the sale, including release information, new varieties and important announcements.
1.2 To receive these updates, please subscribe to our newsletter and add Transition Farm, peter@transitionfarm.com, and info@transitionfarm.com to your safe sender list.
1.3 While we make every effort to communicate important information, we cannot be responsible for emails that are not received due to spam filters, server issues, or incorrect email addresses.
2.0 Sale Information
2.1 All dahlia varieties will display Sold Out prior to the sale.
2.2 Our website may be temporarily unavailable for up to one hour before the sale while inventory is loaded.
2.3 The website will automatically reopen when the sale begins.
2.4 A password is not required to access the sale.
3.0 Product Availability
3.1 While we make every effort to maintain accurate inventory, occasional stock discrepancies may occur.
3.2 If a variety becomes unavailable after your order has been placed, we will contact you as soon as possible and issue a full refund for the unavailable item.
3.3 We reserve the right to cancel and refund any item that becomes unavailable due to inventory discrepancies, quality concerns or other unforeseen circumstances.
4.0 Cart & Checkout
4.1 Adding an item to your cart does not reserve it.
4.2 Your order is confirmed only after:
- payment has been successfully processed;
- you have received an order confirmation number; and
- you have received an order confirmation email.
4.3 Popular varieties may sell out while you are completing your purchase.
5.0 Multiple Orders
5.1 Some customers choose to place multiple orders during the sale.
5.2 Although we always try to combine eligible orders and refund any excess postage, we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.
6.0 Combining Orders
6.1 Where possible, we may combine orders that have the same:
- Customer name
- Email address
- Shipping address
6.2 If we successfully combine your orders, we will refund any excess postage and notify you by email.
6.3 We cannot guarantee that orders placed under different customer details can be combined.
6.4 While we make every effort to identify and combine eligible orders, we cannot guarantee that all matching orders will be identified. If an order is not identified for combining, it will be shipped separately and the applicable postage charges will apply.
7.0 Purchase Limits
7.1 Purchase limits may apply to selected varieties.
7.2 Limits apply per household, not per order.
7.3 Orders that exceed a stated purchase limit may be adjusted to comply with the applicable limit. Any items exceeding the purchase limit may be cancelled and refunded. Where appropriate, we may cancel the entire order. If an order or item is cancelled due to exceeding a purchase limit, we will contact you and advise you of any applicable restocking fees.
7.4 Purchase limits will be clearly identified on the relevant product listing.
8.0 Shipping & Delivery
8.1 Shipping Locations
Dahlia tubers are shipped via Australia Post Priority Parcel Post to:
- ACT
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- South Australia
- Queensland
8.2 Tasmania
Due to Tasmania's current import requirements, dormant dahlia tubers must be treated with an approved fungicide before entry.
As everything we grow is Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic, we have chosen not to apply these treatments.
Accordingly, we are unable to ship dahlia tubers to Tasmania at this time.
8.3 Northern Territory & Western Australia
We are currently unable to ship dahlia tubers to the Northern Territory or Western Australia due to interstate biosecurity requirements.
8.4 Concierge Services
If you are aware of a concierge service that can receive dahlia tubers, complete the required biosecurity treatments and documentation, and then forward them to Tasmania, the Northern Territory or Western Australia, we would love to hear from you.
Please email us at info@transitionfarm.com.
8.5 Certification
Everything we grow is Certified Demeter Biodynamic and Certified Organic.
Any pesticide or fungicide treatment required for importation would void the certification of that product.
8.6 Sprouted Tubers
Where a sprout exceeds 10 mm, it may be trimmed prior to dispatch to comply with Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) regulations.
This does not affect the viability of the tuber.
8.7 Shipping Address
It is the customer's responsibility to provide a complete and accurate shipping address when placing an order.
Transition Farm cannot accept responsibility for delays, additional shipping costs or failed deliveries resulting from incorrect or incomplete address details.
If you notice an error after placing your order, please contact us immediately. While we will do our best to update your details before dispatch, we cannot guarantee that changes can be made once packing has commenced.
8.8 International Shipping
We currently do not ship outside Australia and are unable to send orders to freight-forwarding companies.
Orders placed using an international shipping address or the address of a known freight-forwarding company will be cancelled.
A 25% restocking fee will apply to cancelled orders.
9.0 Postage & Shipping
9.1 Postage Charges
Dahlia tubers are living plants, and we take great care when packing every order to help ensure your tubers arrive in the same condition in which they leave our farm.
Due to recent changes to Australia Post postage rates, we offer two flat-rate postage options, regardless of the number of dahlia tubers in your order:
-
Australia Post Tracked Parcel — $20
-
Australia Post Express — $25
The applicable postage rate will be selected at checkout.
9.2 Shipping ScheduleDahlia tubers are shipped only once viable eyes are visible, generally from late September through October, with all orders expected to be dispatched by early to mid-November.
Orders are packed in the order they are received.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate requests for early shipment.
9.3 Seed Orders
If seed packets are ordered together with dahlia tubers, they will be shipped in the same parcel as your tubers.
If you would like your seed order sooner, please place a separate order.
9.4 Tracking
Once your order has been packed and lodged with Australia Post, you will receive a fulfilment email containing your tracking number.
Please monitor your tracking information and collect your parcel promptly if required.
Confirmation of delivery, or notification that your parcel is awaiting collection through Australia Post tracking, is considered confirmation that your order has been received.
9.5 Shipping Issues
Once your parcel has been lodged with Australia Post and tracking information has been provided, responsibility for delivery rests with Australia Post.
If your parcel is delayed, damaged, lost or stolen in transit, you will need to lodge a claim directly with Australia Post.
Transition Farm is unable to replace or refund orders affected by carrier-related issues.
10.0 Receiving Your Order
10.1 Inspection
Please unpack and inspect your order as soon as it arrives.
Each tuber should be:
- firm and healthy
- free from significant damage
- correctly labelled.
Small amounts of dried roots, surface blemishes or traces of soil are normal.
10.2 Eyes
Look for the eye near the crown of the tuber.
This is where new shoots will emerge and confirms the tuber is ready for planting once conditions are suitable.
10.3 Contact Us
If you have any concerns regarding the quality of your tubers, you must notify us within 48 hours of delivery.
For the purposes of this policy, delivery is deemed to have occurred when Australia Post tracking records either:
- confirmation that the parcel has been delivered; or
- notification that your parcel is awaiting collection.
To help us assess your concern, please email info@transitionfarm.com and include:
- your order number;
- a brief description of the issue; and
- clear photographs of the tuber(s), including the Transition Farm stamp where possible.
For all dahlia tuber enquiries, info@transitionfarm.com is our only point of contact.
Claims received after this period may not be accepted.
11.0 Customer Responsibilities
Once your tubers have been delivered, their care becomes the responsibility of the purchaser.
11.1 Storage
Store tubers in a cool, dry, frost-free location out of direct sunlight until planting. We store our tubers in the medium we send tubers and ensure it is moist but not wet.
11.2 Planting
Dahlias are frost-sensitive.
Wait until the danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has reached approximately 15°C before planting.
NOTE: You can pot your dahlia tubers in a basic potting mix and pre-sprout them ahead of planting. Once growth begins, they will need a strong light source to encourage healthy, compact growth.
Take extra care when transplanting pre-sprouted tubers into the garden, as the new shoots can be easily damaged. It is also important to monitor moisture levels in the potting mix. Keep the mix lightly moist, but avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can cause the tuber to rot. At the same time, do not allow the tuber to dry out completely.
11.3 Pest Protection
Protect newly planted tubers from snails, slugs, rodents and other pests that may damage emerging shoots.
11.4 Growing Conditions
We provide Growing Information and advice to help you succeed.
However, we cannot accept responsibility for tubers once they have been delivered, including their storage, planting, growing conditions or ongoing performance.
12.0 Refund Policy
12.1Assessment of Claims
All claims submitted in accordance with these Information & Policies will be assessed individually.
Where a claim is accepted, Transition Farm may, at its sole discretion:
- replace the affected tuber;
- issue a full or partial refund; or
- provide another appropriate resolution.
The remedy offered will depend on the nature of the claim and the circumstances of the individual case.
13.0 Change of Mind
We do not accept returns or provide refunds for change of mind.
Please choose your varieties carefully before completing your purchase.
14.0 Limitation of Liability
14.1 Responsibility After Delivery
Once the 48-hour inspection period has passed and your tubers have been stored or planted, responsibility for their care transfers to the purchaser.
Transition Farm cannot accept responsibility for losses resulting from factors beyond our control, including but not limited to:
- storage conditions;
- planting methods;
- weather and seasonal conditions;
- pests or wildlife;
- soil conditions;
- disease;
- irrigation or fertilisation practices; or
- any other environmental or cultural factors affecting plant performance.
14.2 Refund Limitation
Where a refund is approved under these policies, it will not exceed the original purchase price of the affected tuber(s).
Transition Farm is not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of crops, flowers, income or other associated costs.
15.0 True Variety Guarantee
15.1 Our Commitment
As farmers and breeders, we understand how disappointing it is to discover that a dahlia has not grown true to variety.
We take great care throughout propagation, division and packing to ensure every tuber is correctly identified before it leaves our farm.
15.2 If You Believe a Variety Has Been Incorrectly Labelled
If you believe your dahlia has not grown true to variety, please contact us by emailing info@transitionfarm.com and include:
- your order confirmation number;
- photographs of the flower;
- photographs of the tuber, including the Transition Farm stamp where possible; and
- any additional information that may assist us in investigating the matter.
Please note that confirming a variety may require the tuber to be lifted and photographed after flowering.
15.3 Natural Variation
Dahlias are living plants and naturally respond to their growing environment.
Flower size, colour, plant height and overall performance may vary depending on:
- climate;
- seasonal conditions;
- soil type;
- sunlight;
- nutrition;
- irrigation; and
- general growing practices.
These natural variations should not be confused with incorrect identification.
16.0 Dahlia Virus Information
16.1 Understanding Dahlia Viruses
Dahlia viruses are an important issue throughout the world.
Research published by the American Dahlia Society has shown that many healthy, symptom-free dahlia plants may carry one or more dormant viruses without displaying visible symptoms.
16.2 Our Farm Practices
Transition Farm takes every reasonable step to minimise the risk of virus within our collection.
These practices include:
- vigilant, regular crop inspections throughout the growing season;
- removing plants that show signs of disease or poor vigour;
- cleaning and sanitising tools in between each plant when cutting flowers AND during propagation and tuber division; and
- restricting public access to our growing areas.
16.3 Our Commitment
Although we work hard to maintain healthy stock, this does not mean that every plant in our collection is virus-free. We do not laboratory-test every plant.
Accordingly, we cannot guarantee that every tuber is completely free from viruses, including viruses that may be present without visible symptoms.
Customers purchase tubers with the understanding that symptomless viruses may occur naturally within dahlias. If this is a concern for you, we respectfully ask that you do not purchase tubers from Transition Farm.
16.4 Virus-like Symptoms
Not all abnormal plant growth is caused by virus.
Symptoms resembling virus infection may also result from:
- nutrient deficiencies;
- herbicide exposure;
- environmental stress;
- insect damage;
- weather conditions; or
- other cultural factors.
For this reason, refunds cannot be offered for plants displaying virus-like symptoms after planting.
16.5 Further Information
We encourage customers to read the Dahlia Society of Australia's Statement on Virus in Dahlias (January 2025) for further information on this important topic
17.0 Supporting Dahlia Breeders
17.1 Our Philosophy
Transition Farm strongly supports dahlia breeding programs of all sizes.
We recognise the years of dedication, observation and selection required to develop exceptional new cultivars and believe breeders deserve acknowledgement for their valuable work.
17.2 Royalty Agreements
Where private breeders have been identified, we are making every effort to establish appropriate royalty agreements that support the continuation of their breeding programs.
17.3 Breeder Contact
If you are the breeder of a variety included in our catalogue, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please contact us at info@transitionfarm.com.
18.0 Agreement
18.1 Acceptance of These Policies
By placing an order with Transition Farm, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Information & Policies.
18.2 Our Commitment
These policies are intended to provide clarity, fairness and transparency while helping us deliver healthy, high-quality dahlia tubers and the best possible customer service.
18.3 Thank You
Thank you for supporting Transition Farm.
Every purchase helps support our work in seed stewardship, biodynamic farming, plant breeding and the preservation of exceptional dahlia cultivars.
We sincerely appreciate your support and wish you every success in growing beautiful dahlias.
