November News

Fall is here and with zero rain so far and very hot days and cool nights.  Evening temperatures have been in the 40's and daytime temps have been in the 80's.  Hot, dry Santa Ana wind events have been routine this Fall.  These conditions have made be reluctant to start digging and storing my dahlias for the Winter.  However, next month will be our first Central Coast Dahlia Society Dig and Divide.  I am hosting in my home from 9 to 2, an informational work day for people who want to learn more about digging and dividing up their dahlias.  I am lucky to live in a climate here on the Central Coast that doesn't require me to dig and divide; I could certainly keep my tubers in the ground if I chose to.  There are plusses and minuses to keeping my tubers in the ground, but this year the main reason for digging and dividing is my intention to amend my soil and plant a cover or "green manure crop".  This cannot be done with the tubers in the ground, so away they go for the Winter! Please feel free to join me December 7th/8th from 9 to 2 to learn more if you wish.  The Central Coast Dahlia Society will have more opportunities to learn how to dig and divide in late winter and early spring, when member Cory Kelso will need help in her dahlia patch.  In other news, we had a fantastic meeting last Tuesday night at member Barbara Bullocks home.  Topics of discussion included favorite places to buy tubers, digging, dividing, and storage options for your tubers, as well as the pros and cons of leaving them in the ground until Spring.  Several members signed up to become members for 2020, many thanks to those of you that did sign up for another year last week! 

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