SUCH SWEET ANTICIPATION

Anyone seriously affected by the dahlia bug knows the feeling that we get as a new year dawns. I'm here to tell you that, in most cases, it doesn't ever go away. People like my dad have grown, cultivated and hybridized dahlias for decades, only to discover the anticipation associated with pulling tubers out of winter storage intensifies as the years go by. It never seems to become a "chore", as so many activities can, and personally, I never realized how much I would look forward to crawling around in dirt, rich with animal matter, experimenting with different planting methods or tuber placement, or figuring out how best to protect my babies against extreme elements.

It seems as though I have been busy with something "dahlia" almost every day since the beginning of 2013. I've placed several orders and have contacted several friends to see if we can trade favorites, or followed up on offers by growers from other clubs who have tubers to share with me, or with our club for our tuber auction in April. At our latest dahlia society meeting last Thursday, we decided that we need to get our spring workshop planned and presenters contacted. We agreed that we all had a lot more to learn about soil amendments, additives and the best organic methods for controlling garden pests and weeds. We are always looking for the perfect combination of nutrients and chemicals, in order to improve on last year's outcomes. I better get on the phone and start contacting people who might be willing to travel across the Cascades to help us with this type of presentation!

And....the best thing of all....After several meetings with Steve Robinson, Executive Director of the Pybus Public Market, we have agreed to hold our September 21-22, 2013 show at the beautiful new facility just a few feet from our gorgeous Columbia River banks. We believe that this show will be memorable for so many reason, not the least of which is the wonderful group of people we will be working with: the Pybus Market staff, the judges and clerks who come over to choose the best blooms and to mentor growers, as well as the stalwart members of our club who work so hard to make sure that no detail is overlooked as we plan for a high-quality event guaranteed to delight those from our community, whether as exhibitors or visitors.

This is a dream come true for us, and I've pinched myself enough times to know that it is for real. If you have been anticipating being part of our show in September, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed!