What can I say but “spectacular” to describe two of our biggest revenue generating events. The April root auction and sale had folks bursting the seams of the Visitors Center in Elizabeth Park. Some very good stock and a lively group of bidders made for a highly successful day. Our auctioneer, Joe Jasonis kept the crowd entertained and enlightened with his excellent commentary. My heartfelt thanks to all of you that donated your time, roots and brought deep pockets. Our second event, held in May in conjunction with Friends of Elizabeth Park and the Herb Society made for a fast moving plant sale. Once again, good quality dahlia plants made for some fast and furious buying. We quickly sold out of the plant material as the sale managed to find one of the few rainless May Saturdays. Thanks goes out to Dottie and Dave Crockett for picking up the plants in Rhode Island and the volunteers that gave up their Saturday to work for your society.
The June meeting is important for both the beginning and seasoned dahlia grower. Not too late to correct mistakes but timely so that discussions and ideas can be put to use immediately. The meeting will be at the Visitors Center, next to our Display Garden. This is an excellent time to ask questions regarding growing techniques. The garden can be used to help illustrate growing techniques and questions can be asked both informally or at the business meeting to help you better understand the science of growing dahlias. So if you have questions on topping your dahlia plants to how to control slugs in the garden this is the meeting to attend. I would ask that all members bring with them their favorite tool or technique to share.
Another topic to consider is this years annual picnic that will be held in July in place of our regular business meeting. The picnic is always a big hit and a fun event. There are several options and we will discuss all of them at the June meeting. So if you would like to host or have an idea for the picnic please let us know.
I would also ask that those individuals involved with the show secretary duties (or anyone interested in learning about this activity) arrive one hour early to the meeting to formulate any last minute show changes.
I hope that this growing season has started off well for all of you. Happy gardening!
Jesse Peterson, CDS President
Display Garden
News
The garden was
planted this year on May 17th. Thanks to Maureen and Bob who prepared
the beds and soil and Bob, Larry and Joe for doing the planting. We have several
new varieties being grown this year and the garden should produce a brilliant
display later in the season.
The Display
Garden is a huge source of revenue for us as many of the roots sold at the April
auction and sale come from the garden. It can also be a source of education and
experimentation for us.
If you would
like to volunteer please contact me by e-mail at jessepj@aol.com or phone 860-485-0326. I will
work with any of you that are not familiar with the
garden.
Jesse Peterson, President
Some
pictures from our Root Auction & Sale
Kevin, Bob and Andre at the sale table
Joe and Larry work the auction
Second Plant Sale at this
June Meeting
Many different Exhibition Varieties will be available, come early at 6:30 P.M.
We will have this sale, beginning promptly at 6:30 PM. Plants will be at a set price, no
auction, so be there on time if you wish to purchase any. Also, bring boxes to carry them home
in.
This exceptionally wet
spring may have caused some of your rootstock to rot out and it is always good
to have some plants on hand for replacements.
Schedule of Events for the
coming Rose Festival at Elizabeth Park
June 10 Rose Garden
Tour 6:30
p.m.-Gazebo
June 11 Perennial Garden
Tour 6:30 p.m.
Perennial garden
June 12
Rose Garden Tour 12
noon-Gazebo
June 14 SUPER SATURDAY,
Volunteer
Gardening 9 a.m.-Gazebo
June 17 Rose Garden
Tours 12
noon and 6:30
p.m.- Gazebo
June 18 Rose Garden Tour
12
noon-Gazebo
June 21 SUPER SATURDAY,
Volunteer
Gardening 9 a.m.-Gazebo
June 22/23 ROSE WEEKEND
June 21 Poetry Reading
1:00 p.m.
in the
Gazebo (sunny) Pond House (rain)
June 22 Rose Show
by the CT
Rose Society
1:30-4:30-Pond
House
June 24 Rose Garden
Tours 12
noon and 6:30
p.m.-Gazebo
June 26 Perennial Garden
Tour 6:30
p.m.-
Perennial Garden
CDS Future Meetings
July 13 Annual
Picnic – site to be
decided
August 10 NADC Judges Symposium, from 10
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CDS Regular Meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Both events at Elizabeth Park
August 23 CDS 45th. Anniversary
Show &
33rd.
Annual Show of the North
Atlantic Dahlia Conference
Marge Schnerr, Editor
mrschnerr@aol.com