Viewing post #1084680 by designerdonna

Designer Donna checking in, also dubbed The Duchess of Dahlias by a Master Gardener buddy. I've been growing dahlias for 30-plus years. I have a small property with lots going on from fruit trees to vegetables to tree peonies, Japanese maples, hostas, daffodils, perennials, 40+ containers, a growing collection of succulents, a large pond with koi and goldfish, many coleus and, of course, my beloved dahlias -- about 130 of them. It's probably a good thing that I don't have more space because I don't think I could possibly fit another dahlia into my plan, although I try every year My aging bones are also telling me I can't do what I used to, but I refuse to listen. I yearn for a greenhouse but know that's not in the cards, so I make do with the 10x10 area in the basement that my deceased husband built for me (fluorescent lights, shelves, etc.).

I belong to two dahlia societies; have been an active member and have held several offices for the Rhode Island Society (there was no society in Massachusetts when I joined) and the newly formed New England Dahlia Society of which I am president. Because I'm so involved with the hort community (including 2 garden clubs, hosta and rock garden societies) and I still work, I don't have a lot of time to spend in the garden but all of my free time is spent there.

I start all of my vegetables from seed and all of my dahlias inside. I'm going to try my hand at propagating cuttings this year to try to build my stock, since I had no tubers to sell or give away this year (poor growing season last year).

A storm is predicted this weekend, so it will be a good time to start propagating my dahlias.