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Member Spotlight
Dahlia Dick: 50 Years of Growing Dahlias, Now at Kensington Gardens
A Hobby That Started in Childhood
My "hobby" of growing dahlias started more than 50 years ago. While growing up, my parents and grandparents grew dahlias in their gardens, and I worked many hours in both gardens. They did not grow too many of them, but as a kid I learned the basics of digging the tubers up and storing them over the winter. I first started growing them myself with a gift of petite dahlias from Marcia's parents in the early 1970's. They came from Harry & David, a well-known company that specializes in a variety of gifts for any occasion. I mention this, because remarkably, we have perpetuated the tubers and they are the petite yellow and orange flowers in the front row of the garden here.
From Condo Plots to "Dahlia Dick"
In about 2000, while living in a condo on Mercer Island, I expanded the number of dahlias I grew (I had a plot at the condo), and then rented garden space at the local Pea Patch. I grew about 100 dahlias there and became known as "Dahlia Dick". We also lived part-time at a home on Hood Canal and I grew dahlias there.
How Kensington Gardens Supported the Hobby
When we moved to KG, Kelly asked about my hobbies and I mentioned growing dahlias. The Watsons bulldozed the plot for me, brought in good dirt, rototilled the area, and brought in a water supply. This year they provided soaker hoses, which have helped considerably. They left the rest to me.
The expanded area allowed me to increase the number of dahlia tubers in the ground to almost 200. There are about 175 different varieties.
Inside the Garden
I try to plant the low growing varieties in the front rows and the larger varieties in the rear rows. I don't pay any attention to color combinations. I have no favorites and keep a chart with the name of each tuber in the ground. Just when I begin to really like a particular flower, I see others that I like equally. I even have a shirt now that my daughter gave me for Father's Day that says "DAHLIA" on the front.
Maintenance is fairly routine: try to keep the weeds under control, deadhead the flowers after they have bloomed, occasionally spray for bugs like aphids, and, of course, fertilize. Rabbits and deer are also a potential problem, but we try to minimize the damage by spraying with a spray that has a "stink" to it that repels but does not harm them.
A Garden Residents Can Enjoy
Residents are encouraged to pick the flowers, but there is a correct and incorrect way to cut them. Marcia and I can show you how or refer you to websites that have videos on how to properly cut them. Marcia will continue to cut large batches and leave them for those of you to take what you like. There are 4 chairs for use by any of you who want to relax, enjoy the scenery, and/or sip beverage of your choice. Please join us in the garden at any time.
