Utah Dahlia Society Summer Social

DAHLIA SEASON!

Millcreek Gardens was our generous sponsor for our Dahlia Sale again this year.  We were snowed out in April but had a great day and successful sale on May 7 and 14th.

 Dave Ross hand picking some great tubers for 42nd Street Nursery

 Karen and Nick showing off their Dahlia Shirts.

Mark Hurst and Megan Badger 

leading the way to another great season for the 

Utah Dahlia Society.

Our meeting on June 15th was a chance to gain valuable

 knowledge from Spencer Mortensen's vast experiences growing not only Dahlias but many edibles, espalier, and how to produce "black gold" by raising worms.

Thanks to Spence for the wonderful presentation and sharing with us.  Also, thanks to Megan for the refreshments: homemade rhubarb jam ( the rhubarb was from Mark's garden) and wonderful bread and drinks.

Our Demonstration Garden got a late start this year due to our cold and wet weather.  It was finally planted on June 14th.

Mark Hurst had top soil delivered and tilled in a good supply of dried leaves before the Society members got started getting the beds ready.   

 Steve LeCheminant measured the garden so the spacing was just right.

 Dave Ross was an expert "post hole" digger.

 Sandy Burgess put her planting skills to work.

Steve and Mark working out the details.

The Utah Dahlia Society Demonstration Garden sign.

 Miss Delilah gets a mass planting all to herself.

All planted.  

We have high hopes for another terrific dahlia season!

Our next meeting is August 17th.  

Watch for more details as to time and place.

**As a side note many of us started seeing blooms in mid-July despite the cold and rainy start;-)

Member's Tuber Sale 2011

April 20th was the date of our

2011 Member's Only Tuber Sale. 

 We had hundreds of tubers available for sale for only $3.00 each.  They were donated by our members and some of our favorite growers. 

 Thanks to everyone for their generosity.

 Bagging and tagging tubers was a snap this year. 

 Most of the work was done at home and just the bags and tags were left to do.

 Paula Daniels was in charge of refreshments and did a great job with the help of her husband, Mike.  Many thanks for their work.  Also thanks to Megan Badger for organizing the event.  She left us on our own for a "once in lifetime" adventure on the high seas and was missed.

Pizza, cookies and drinks were delicious!

Our first tuber sale at Millcreek Gardens on April 30 was SNOWED out. 

  We are scheduled again for next Saturday, May 7th at Millcreek from 10:00am until 4:00 pm and hope to have sunshine and warmer temperatures.   

Please come out and get your tubers and support 

THE UTAH DAHLIA SOCIETY.  

 We have hundreds to choose from and look forward to seeing you.

Save The Dates

Utah Dahlia Society Meeting Tonight

     Just a Reminder that our first meeting of 2011 will be held on Wednesday February 16th at 7 p.m. at the Garden Center at Sugar House Park (1602 East 2100 South).  For the main event we will be viewing a DVD from the National Capital Society entitled "If you like dahlias, you'll love this... the Ultimate Growing Guide".  There will also be time for questions and we want to hear how those stored tubers are doing.  This would the perfect night to invite your friends who want to try growing dahlias.


     This reminder (Thanks Megan) reminded me that I haven't posted our photos from our Dahlia Fiesta held on October 20, 2010.   We had delicious food from Cafe Rio and those of us that are sick of winter (I know we have had a break for a few days but IT IS supposed to snow tonight) notice how long we had fresh Dahlias last fall.   It was amazing to have them so long in our climate.
    The evening was a huge success with most of our members attending and some invited guests.  Thanks to Millcreek Gardens for their continued support and bringing many fun plants used as door prizes.
   

Sad News

Megan Badger, The Utah Dahlia Society's hardest worker lost her Mother, Joan Spandre this past Saturday, December 18.   There will be a visitation at Cottonwood Mortuary on Tuesday, December 21st from 6:00 until 8:00.  A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 2:00 at the Salt Lake Cemetery.


We all send Megan and her family our most sincere condolences.  Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time.

How to Store Dahlia Tubers by Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams, our member from Logan was kind enough to type out his method for storing his dahlia tubers.  The plastic wrap method is in Mark's book, The Dahlia Diary.  Let Megan know if you need a copy.

Ryan and Julie William's Method 

of

 Storing Tubers

Once they are dug, washed, and devided I store them in zip-lock bags.  I use the gallon size so I don't have to use so many but any size will do.  I poke several holes in the bag so they can breathe.  I do it with a board that has lots of nails sticking out so I can poke all the holes at once but a pencil or anything else works fine.  Some people dust them with sulfer or dip them in a solution of captan which is a good precaution but I usually don't.  Hopefully that doesn't backfire on me someday.  As I seperate the clumps I can usually put one clump per gallon bag.  Some varieties won't fit in one.  If I only have one plant of a paticular variety I split it up into two bags just as a precaution.  If one bag goes bad I don't lose the whole variety.  I then put in some vermiculite, just enough to cover the tubers.  Maybe two cups (I am not sure exactly I just put in what looks good to me.)  Then I put the bags into a fridge that is set at 40 degrees.  Any cool dark place will work fine.  I check them several times during the winter to make sure they are happy.  Every once in a while I will see some mold show up in a bag of tubers.  If I see mold I take the tubers out and make sure they are not damaged.  If they are I toss them and spray the bag with an anti-fungal.  Maybe if you dust them in sulfer first you won't even have to worry.  I don't ever have much of a problem.  It may show up in a bag or two but that is usually the extent of it.