Early Winter Work

Dahlia 'Lagoon' 

Dahlias in the field

 

People often ask what we do in the winter. I try not to reply like they assume we take it easy. Yet the list is overwhelming. We start with fall clean up, perennials are put to bed, greenhouse tightened plants covered, more perennials and bulbs planted, the 1st  ranunculus are sprouted, all the dahlias must either be dug and divided or in protection for overwintering, the tulips to be planted this year ~ 1000.

My short version. I won't mention catching up on paperwork or house cleaning so not to bore you. I've added a handful the dahlia work photos. We try to grow ~ 500 each year to have a good selection for our customers.

After Dahlias are dug, they are washed and dried in preparation for division

We stack the dahlias in crates, before and after division, they must cure before storage

Dahlia tubers after division, some years they freeze before we can dig them all

Many are compost, sad but true

Our Calla lilies are stored in the work room too

What we hope they will look like next season

We make dried wreaths for the Holidays, each needs to be carefully stored

In December we are still enjoying our sweet peppers