May Digest 2023
Dear Dahlia Friends,
Please read below for a note from our President, information about the upcoming plant sale, Midwest Dahlia Conference and DSO merchandise, as well as profiles of two DSO members.
Meg
If you'd like to be featured in future issues of the Digest please email me at digest@dahliasocietyofohio.org.
A Note From Our President
Hi all!
We’re finally hitting some warmer temperatures and I’m hoping to get my tubers in the ground sometime this month. I definitely love spring and getting everything planted so I can sit back (a bit) and watch everything grow.
April was a big month for the DSO. We had our annual tuber sale that was very successful, making around $5k for the organization. I want to take a moment to thank Tammy May and Sharon Swaney for all of their hard work collecting the tubers and getting everything loaded to the website. We also had quite the crew at the packing party, which included Tammy & Danny May, Sharon & Rob Swaney, Barb Hosta, Pat Sadaki, Claire, & Lori Chiarappa.
They did a fantastic job of getting your orders bagged and ready for pick up this past Saturday. It was great to see everyone including all of the new members who picked up their new member kits. I’m hoping to see some of your blooms once they get going!
This month we’ll have our annual plant sale so there is still another chance to get some of your favorites or some new ones to fill out those holes in your beds. Or in my case the excuse to make a new bed! If that sounds like a little too much work for you, we also have a guest speaker, Alicia Cox, at our meeting on May 19th who will share how to use grow bags for your dahlias.
I hope to see some of you this month—either via zoom or at the plant pick up. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to email me at president@dahliasocietyofohio.org.
Jess
DSO Plant Sale
Our plant sale will open on May 12th at 5:00pm on our website dahliasocietyofohio.org. We’ll send out the list of available plants and password to members a few days before.
The sale will open to the public on May 13th, so please make sure you order on Friday if you’re worried about missing out.
You must pick up your plants on May 21 at Willoway Nursery in Avon. Full details will follow closer to the date.
2023 Midwest Dahlia Conference
The 2023 Midwest Dahlia Conference Spring Meeting and Plant Auction will take place on June 3rd in Elkhart, Indiana. Please see below for details from Randy Foith, President of the Midwest Dahlia Conference, and please contact Randy with any questions.
Date: Saturday, June 3,2023
Where: High Dive Pavilion, 5oo E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN. 46514
Time: 10AM till over
Registration: $15 includes a catered buffet dinner with the ”Indiana Dessert Bar” provided by Rhonda Cantrell. Please register by May 25th
Make check payable to the EDS (Elkhart Dahlia Society) in care of Anita Ritchie, 27074 CR20, Elkhart, In. 46517
The attendees will start to gather at 8AM to bring in and organize the auction plants. The Meeting will commence at 10 AM sharp! Followed by a great program presented by DR. Keith Berven on “Understanding the Data of your Soil Analysis”. Keith is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Oakland University in Michigan. He is an outstanding dahlia grower who has successfully exhibited throughout the Midwest Dahlia Conference. This topic is questioned by novice and seasoned dahlia growers alike. Pay attention and be ready to ask those important questions.
We will break for dinner immediately after Keith’s presentation. The Plant Auction will begin promptly after dinner. Instructions on bidding from auctioneers Jim Kassner and Tony Evangelista will precede the auction.
An important note is that the proceeds from the auction are awarded to the current host of the Midwest Dahlia Conference Fall Show. This year’s host is the Greater Pittsburgh Dahlia Society. Show information can be found on the GPDS Website and an announcement will be sent to all the MDC Societies as well.
Thanks Much,
Randy Foith, Pres.
DSO Merchandise
If you didn’t know, you can now purchase DSO merchandise. We are using a vendor called Spring to offer a number of different t-shirt, sweatshirt, hats and more!
It’s perfect way to represent the DSO at shows or just around town in NE Ohio.
Introducing New Members!
Name: Misty Eckart
City/Town: Geneva, Ohio
Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up on a 500 acre dairy farm in Trumbull County (Ohio) and after college, lived in tiny apartments working in Finance in Chicago / San Francisco for 13 years. I decided to move back to Northeast Ohio in 2012 - to a house that provides me about 1/2 acre to grow flowers. My husband and I started growing cut flowers and dahlias in 2018, but REALLY got into it during the pandemic when I was working from home. I just love growing and giving away cut flower bouquets, and recently became a Growing Kindness Project Ambassador for 2023. My other hobbies are baking (I LOVE to bake) and cycling (my husband and I have been participating in The Ohio State University James Cancer Center’s annual fundraising ride - Pelotonia - since 2015). I look forward to meeting and learning from you all!
Number of years growing dahlias: 4 years.
How did you get into the world of dahlias? I was inspired by Floret, and after visiting Swan Island in 2019, I was hooked.
What is your favorite dahlia to grow? All of them! Last year, I loved peaches n cream - and I am sure my favorite will change this year since I have added about 100 new varieties to my 2023 growing list.
Social media profiles: Instagram @mistykochemba
Name: Lea Ewing
City/Town: Seville, Ohio
Tell us a little about yourself: While Covid was making us lockdown I got certified as a Master Gardener and Finished up my Accreditation as a Horticulture and Floral design Judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs (OAGC).
Number of years growing dahlias: I have tried the Collarette and Singles dahlias in my patio pot designs for a number of years, then in the last three years a couple of large size in the garden.
How did you get into the world of dahlias? I always loved viewing the Dahlia Section at the county fairs.
What is your favorite dahlia to grow? I have no favorites, They are always a wonderful surprise when I get get them to bloom.
Social media profiles: Instagram @ewinglea Facebook Lea Ewing
