CDS News February 2004 Newsletter

President's Message

"Thanks again" goes out to those members who braved extremely cold temperatures to attend the January meeting. We have been experiencing some of the coldest weather in nearly twenty years. Please remember to check your root storage area to make sure your roots aren't freezing!

Now is the time to order replacement stock or new varieties you may want to try - order early! Many suppliers sell out quickly.

Now is also a great time to have your soil pH tested. How many of you know what the pH of your Dahlia bed is? Did you know that if your soil pH is off it could affect the way your Dahlias take up nutrients and microelements from the soil? Do you know that if you need to add lime to your garden to raise the pH that you can do so in the winter?

You can find the telephone number for soil testing services provided by the State of Connecticut in the Blue Pages of your telephone book. For example, in my area I would call the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station's Soil testing number (203) 974-8521, or the North Haven Cooperative Extension Service's number, which is (203) 407-3161. Both services will explain specifics and send out soil test kits that give detailed instructions on how to take a soil sample from your garden.

An Important Reminder

C.D.S./A.D.S. membership applications are now due. Please submit your form and payment to:

Mrs. Donna Paternostro

C.D.S. Treasurer

262 Windy Drive

Waterbury, CT 06705

Please forward this information promptly to ensure that you remain on our mailing list.

Inclement Weather Information

In the event of inclement weather on February 14^th, please contact Kevin Wasilewski at (203) 269-6943 or Marge Schnerr at (203) 758-4685 to confirm the meeting will indeed be held.

(Continued from previous column)

Please remember that each garden plot needs to have its own soil test. Very large garden plots may need to be divided up and the soil tested in each area in order for the test to be more accurate. The cost of a soil test is very nominal and can save you money in the long run. Have your soil tested today!

Kevin Wasilewski

CDS President

Announcements

The Finance Committee will meet at 6:30 on February 14^th to set the C.D.S. budget for 2004.

The Mid-Island Dahlia Society Annual Dinner will be held on March 21^st.

The Long Island Dahlia Society Annual Dinner and Auction will be held on March 28^th.

The North Atlantic Dahlia Conference Spring Meeting, Dinner and Root/Plant Auction will be held on April 18 at the Yankee Silversmith in Wallingford. The event begins at noon.

The Connecticut Dahlia Society Annual Root Sale and Auction will be held on Sunday, April 25^th at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park. The event is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

Elizabeth Park

Garden Lecture Series

On January 21^st Marge Schnerr gave a slide presentation on dahlias to 40 people at the Pond House. Several of our C.D.S. members were in attendance and the program was very well received. We are hopeful that some new members will result from this presentation. Seven more programs on different flowers are scheduled in the Elizabeth Park Lecture Series, "Celebrating 100 Years of Roses", which runs through April.

Something you'd like to share?

Please send news, photographs, or interesting articles you would like to share in the C.D.S. newsletter to Becky Paul via email at r.r.paul@att.net or by outside mail to: 259 Saw Mill Rd., Guilford, CT 06437. Our next newsletter deadline is Friday, February 27.

Next Meeting

Saturday, March 13^th, 7:30 p.m.