Meet Christine

Being a hobby dahlia farmer is a joyful, all-consuming obsession. It means trading sleep for quiet, dew-kissed mornings in the dirt, meticulously staking, disbudding, and protecting cranky tropical tubers from spring rot and pests. The magic happens when you harvest armloads of dinnerplate blooms to gift to friends and neighbors, turning simple backyard dirt into a technicolor sanctuary.

If you're thinking of starting your own patch, let me know:

• What growing zone or region are you in?

• Are you planning to grow in-ground, in raised beds, or in pots?

I can share some beginner tips to help you get started!