A Tisket, A Tasket, A Dahlia Filled Basket

Yes! Its time for our dahlias to take center stage. I spoke for the Potawatomie Garden Club in St. Charles and made 6 vases of dahlias to share with them. Finally, I am out in my garden with the preverbal basket gathering blooms.

Of course, later in the day, it was back to . . . → Read More: A Tisket, A Tasket, A Dahlia Filled Basket

My (Almost) Autumn Garden

“Nature bestows her own, richest giftsAnd, with lavish hands, she works in shifts…”~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham

Dahlia growers know that autumn is a time of great abundance in the garden. While other gardens are winding down, the dahlia garden is gearing up. But it’s not just dahlias as you’ll soon see.

The dahlia garden in . . . → Read More: My (Almost) Autumn Garden

We’re Not In Panic Mode – Yet

As the day of an event draws near, it becomes time to reprioritize. You know what I mean – If the relatives are coming over for a visit, the plan to really clean the house eventually turns into ‘oh well, they’re family’. That’s what can make an impromptu visit so easy – no expectations and . . . → Read More: We’re Not In Panic Mode – Yet

Zone 5 – Favorites On The 5th – You Can Build A Flagstone Patio

I welcome you to ‘Zone 5 Favorites on the 5th’. I’ve started posting on the 5th of every month, redirecting visitors to a favorite posting relative to zone 5.

On this 5th day of the 5th month, I could gripe that our brick path isn’t done. But I’m not going to. Never mind that the . . . → Read More: Zone 5 – Favorites On The 5th – You Can Build A Flagstone Patio

Enjoying November Gardening Tasks

Days like today remind me that gardening, like so many ventures, is more about the ride than the results. Don’t get me wrong, I do love having a table full of dahlias to share, like these from a few weeks ago.

And I love having this view as just one part of the vista we . . . → Read More: Enjoying November Gardening Tasks

Dahlia Bloom Season Begins

The time of dahlia anticipation has ended.  The time of dahlia appreciation begins. 

Mike has about 100 dahlias in our garden. So many that they warrant their own Dahlia category on this site.

The dahlia blooms you see here are just a promise of what is to come over the next few months. Mike . . . → Read More: Dahlia Bloom Season Begins

Dahlias Everywhere

We’ve run out of places to put plants, so Mike is considering the microwave and refrigerator.

Perhaps I’ve exaggerated a little. Just a little. Mike has potted up about 500 plants this spring. Some for us, and some for sales. There are about 350 dahlias, 60 calla lilies, 20 cannas, and some morning . . . → Read More: Dahlias Everywhere

How To Pot Up Dahlias To Get A Head Start

You can have dahlias blooming in your garden in August, even here in zone 5. Choose option #1 (do it yourself), or option #2 (don’t do it yourself).

Mike’s do-it-yourself option If you followed the instructions in You Want Me to Plant My Dahlias NOW?, you are prepared for the task. You’ve got your dahlia . . . → Read More: How To Pot Up Dahlias To Get A Head Start

You Want Me To Plant My Dahlias NOW???

You may want dahlias like these. Who wouldn’t? But if you read the first article on propagating, that might be too serious for you. After all, you can just go to the store, get a package of dahlia bulbs, and plop them in the ground in May. Or can you????

You can, if you are . . . → Read More: You Want Me To Plant My Dahlias NOW???

C is for Calla Lily, D is for Dahlia, and E is for Elephant Ears

Today is being brought to you by the letters C, D, and E. Just like Sesame Street is a perennial favorite for kids (I couldn’t help myself, pun intended), propagating is a perennial favorite for men – at least for mine.

D is for dahlias Mike is in the basement as we speak, happily nurturing . . . → Read More: C is for Calla Lily, D is for Dahlia, and E is for Elephant Ears