Awards Dinner and Farewell to our Demo Garden

October 20, 2018 was a big day for the Utah Dahlia Society. 

We dug our tubers and had our awards dinner.

Karen and Megan at the demo garden

Thanks to Ryan, Julie, Alice, Daniel, Jan and Megan for processing the dahlia tubers. Also, Steve, Karen and Gary that are not in the photo.

We are saying farewell to our demo garden after several years and thank 

the Granger Community Church for their hospitality and support.

Our annual awards dinner was held at Joe Morely BBQ.  We had a smaller group this year because many of our members were out of town or not feeling well enough to attend.

 Head Table Winners

Steve was our big winner this year with 4 wins on the head table including best of show.

Sandy Allred is a new UDS member and won a head table spot her first year entering.

We missed our dear, Mark Hurst and his daughter Clea who were unable to attend.

Best of luck to everyone for a good year storing our dahlia tubers and look forward to seeing you all next spring.

How to Store Dahlia Tubers

We often have requests for information of how to store dahlia tubers.  Over the past 10 years we have tried many methods and have decided the following works best for us:


We no longer buy into the need for them to freeze before we dig the tubers out.  We dig them the best possible days the last week or so of October.   It is easiest to leave about a foot of the stem when you cut the plants down just so you have a handle to help lift them.  Many of us spray them with the hose to get the dirt off or use an air compressor to blow them clean.   If using water let them sit on newspaper on a bench or table (not cement) in a garage for about 2 days to dry.  After that, you should see "eyes" to divide them (lots of You Tube videos to show you how) then put them in zip lock 1 gallon freezer bags with about a cup of coarse vermiculite to cover them mixed with a scant teaspoon of sulfur. We use a metal knitting needle to poke the bag for ventilation.  We write the variety on the tuber and the bag with a sharpie and only put the same variety in the bag.  Then, we buy moving boxes from Lowes and store them in a dry place that is ideally around 42 degrees until mid April for our area.  If using a refrigerator line the boxes with several layers of newspaper on all sides because the side touching the inside of the fridge may freeze the tubers.  Loosely pack the boxes with the bags of tubers.  More newspapers on top, close the box and put them in the refrigerator with a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

We have had good luck with this method and hope you do too.  

2018 Annual Dahlia Society Show

Another spectacular show on Sept 29th for the Utah Dahlia Society.  Thanks to everyone's entries it was quite the competition.
 

1.  Best of Show President's Award - Holly Hill Angela - grown with loving care by Stephen LeCheminant.

2.  Best AA - AC Ben - another by Stephen LeCheminant.

3.  Best A - Spartacus  - Raised and loved by the Utah Dahlia Society Demonstration Garden.

4. Best BB - Holly Hill Angela - for Stephen LeCheminant.  Also won Best of Show.  

5.  Best M - Outta Da Blue - Thanks to Megan Badger for this lovely.

6.  Best Ball - Mirella - This makes 3 or is it 4 for Stephen LeCheminant.  Who is counting?

7.  Best Pompon - Stolz Von Berlin - This beauty was brought in by Sandy Allred.

8.  Best Exotic - Holly Hill Spider Woman - Mark & Clea Hurst grew this wild looking flower.

9.  Best Three Blooms - Blyton Softer Gleam - Megan Badger for another one.

10.  Best Arrangement - Karen Crook's beautiful small arrangement dedicated to Sandy.

There were beautiful photographs to choose from, beautiful people and well deserved winners.  Here are a few pictures from the event.

We hope you all enjoyed the show and can join us for the fall social.  This year it will be held at Joe Morely's 100 West Center Street in Midvale.  An invitation will be sent shortly, but save the date, Saturday October 20th at 5:30 p.m.. Cost $20 a person.  

Utah Dahlia Society Exhibition Show 2018

The Utah Dahlia Society Exhibition Show

2018

Please note that it will be one day only on September 29 from 1:00 until 5:00

We hope to see you there!

**Scroll down for more posts!**

Demo Garden 2018

Planting the Demo Garden

May 14, 2018

Stephan LeCheminant

Megan Badger

Karen Crook

Sandy Burgess

Karen

Daniel and Alice

 Gary Crook, Daniel, Alice Steve, Megan, Karen & Sandy

Karen Crook & Sandy Burgess

132 tubers planted!

June 15, 2018

July 20, 2018

First Bloom!

Megan's Garden 2018

A stroll through Megan's Garden 2018

 Beautiful dahlia and best ever tags

 Back Garden

 More of her back garden

 Megan Badger

Congratulations on another fantastic dahlia year, Megan!

Sandy's Celebration of Life

Today, September 9, 2018 we celebrated

 the life of UDS member and dear friend, 

Sandy Burgess.

 Several members of The Utah Dahlia Society generously  gifted dahlias to decorate the Orangerie in Red Butte Garden which Sandy's husband, Bob and son, Jason chose as the setting for this memorable event.  

Thank you to everyone that contributed their precious flowers.  Megan Badger, our friend, Teri Peterson and I were grateful for such lovely blooms to arrange centerpieces to honor Sandy. 

This photo shows all the dahlia blooms from UDS friends, along with Limelight Hydrangeas from my garden and greenery from Murray Park.  The roses were the only flowers purchased to accent one of Sandy's favorite colors and are appropriately named "Movie Star".

 These dahlias were cut from Sandy's own garden and were  highlighted in the Buffet Centerpieces.

 Ready to go!

 The Orangerie at Red Butte Garden

 Karen, Teri and Megan

Sandy Burgess

1946-2018
will be missed and always remembered.

Sandy Burgess

     Our precious Sandy Burgess passed away today, August 17, 2018.    She was not ready to go and we were not ready to say goodbye.  She left us wanting more but managed to maintain her grace and dignity to her last moment.  

    She was beautiful inside and out and made sure she always looked her best.  She was a dedicated employee of Questar Corporation her entire career.  After her retirement she was the definition of volunteerism.  Sandy was a certified Master Gardener and served on the Board along with donating many hours to a variety of projects including The Tracy Aviary, Gilgal Garden, Murray Park along with her own projects for family and friends.  She and her husband Bob created a beautiful garden surrounding their home with meticulously manicured grass and beds full of color and whimsey.  

   Sandy was a valued member of the Utah Dahlia Society and served for two years as Show Chairperson.  She worked tirelessly on all phases of the UDS demonstration garden and the Exhibition Shows.

   Gardening was but one of her many interests and talents.  Sandy created many works of art with her knitting, crocheting and crafting skills and was a generous mentor helping others with their projects.  
  Sandy loved all animals, especially dogs and birds.    
She often carried dog treats in her pocket to share with lucky dogs that crossed her path.  She thrived in nature and loved to walk Porter Fork and other trails in Millcreek Canyon.  Sandy had a will to finish what she started and would not quit until she reached her goals.

   Most importantly, she was a wonderful wife to Bob, a proud mother to Jason and loving sister to Pete and Heather.  She adored her nieces and nephews and was a devoted friend to so very many of us.

   She was pure joy and will be missed more than words can say.
     Sandy's Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 9 from 11:00 until 2:00 at Red Butte Gardens in the Orangerie.