Children, Dahlias

     The joys of September

   Children are the joys of life in every month.  How about these children?

Gone Fishin'

Giddi- Up, Swan

Dahlias are a joy of September.  So glad we got acquainted.  But I still have so much to learn about them.  Storing the tubers over during the winter is the big obstacle.  Last year’s crop did not survive, so I bought new ones.

Mary's dahlia

Learning can be so expensive. New information about storing them is: remove loose soil from tubers when you dig them; turn them upside down (to drain moisture from stems) and let them air dry for 2 weeks; store in a large plastic bag at 40 to 45 degrees (That’s the catch, where do I find that for the winter?)
   Getting them ready to plant in the spring is a whole other story.
But they are worth it.  They are the prince and princess of the autumn garden. . 
   Little Creek Valley has a vendor’s stand at the Oxford Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.They had beautiful dahlias.  .  If you can’t wait to grow your own you can enjoy the blooms  of others.  .  All their flowers were gorgeous.
   If you fancy mums, they were to be found in their splendor at the market, also.