Hello, Winter!

Yesterday, November 9, was the first 32 degree or lower morning that I have seen this season. This usually means that dahlias and their foliage will be droopy and blackened, signaling that it is time to cut, then dig. As I stepped out on the back deck to view my garden, I didn't see any of that "black death" that I usually look for before cutting. I decided to wait until later in the week to cut, just to give nature a little more time to do her demolition! However, about noon, little things that looked a lot like snowflakes started falling slowly from the sky. I watched for a while, but then they stopped, only to be followed by some seriously wet, white and heavy snowflakes that fell until nearly 4:00 pm! Due to the warmth of the ground, most of the snow melted when it landed, but we did manage to accumulate about 1/2 inch of the white stuff. Now, my garden looked downright pitiful, with the heads of the flowers sagging, and the leaves almost touching the ground. I realized that if I didn't start the fall ritual soon, I would be doing it with snowshoes on! So, this morning I went out with my loppers and started cutting down the stalks, and relocating the nametags from the stakes to the clumps. This is much more complicated than it sounds, because a lot of the names of the dahlias have faded so that I need to re-write them on the tags, and then untwist the wire, (fighting the stake for possession!) and re-attach the tags firmly so that they won't fall off when I dig in a few days. However, when this is done well, it makes for much easier storage and labeling, as well as knowing that what I share with other growers is what it says it is. I will dig in about a week, and after that, wash, dry, cut, separate, sort and put the babies to bed for the winter.....The best part of the day for me was when I started gathering the lopped stalks into my arms and stuffing them into the garbage bags for disposal. I was assailed with the unmistakable scent of fresh cut dahlias, a smell unlike any other. I love that smell, and it instantly takes me back to the dahlia gardens of my youth, when my dad was in charge. November 9 (yesterday) is the anniversary of his death, in 2006. Every year this day is one filled with thoughts and memories of him as well as a welling of thanksgiving for having had him in my life. He is sorely missed, but his presence is still very much with me. I know you're watching, Dad, so if I forget to do anything, please let me know, OK?

Since Dad has gone, I have come to depend a lot on a little book that I may have mentioned before: "Dahlias: A Monthly Guide", published by the Puget Sound Dahlia Association. Published in 2001 and edited by Brad Freeman, this booklet is absolutely invaluable - I know it didn't cost me much, and I'm sure copies are available through PSDA. I wouldn't want to be without it!