Have you taken your dahlias tubers out for a Winter peek yet? I am glad I took mine out yesterday. The temperatures have been moderate here, so it was a perfect day to drag them from their Winter home in the garage. I am glad I did! Somehow, water was trapped in the bottom of the largest container. Not good! I took each out and 
examined for mold or rot. Some at the bottom had to be heaved. ‘Show ‘N Tell was tossed, so I will be sure to order a new tuber because that dahlia garnered some praise last season.
This is the time to decide on your dahlias for the 2013 season. From yesterday’s inspection I know what I can expect to carry over from last year, but I also look back at my records, and assess which dahlias are worth trying again and which I can conclude were unsuccessful and not worth bringing forward. I categorize last year’s “crop” as: 1. Spectacular! 2. Just o.k 3. Forget it! I also make note of which grower I purchased from, and if I see a trend in the ‘forget it! section, I will be less likely to spend my dahlia dollars there!
Last year, Brent & Becky’s gets the prize for being the most reliable supplier of first rate tubers (and prize winners!) Each year, I try a new grower. This year I will be ordering from Dan’s Dahlias. Could you resist this?
Besides having an Aunt named Myrtle (indeed!), this dahlias has a lot going for it. It has size, color and it says, “look at me.” When I began gardening, let’s just say that many ladies believed in restraint which meant pretty pink and blue and white borders. I have been there and done that, but since I began to grow dahlias, COLOR is imperative. I cannot restrain myself from any of the offerings.
In recent weeks, loss has been a yoke I am carrying. I am finding that the best way to move forward is to go to the garden. Whatever you are carrying in your heart or on your mind, the garden will absorb and will accept. There are things in life you cannot change, but the simple act of deciding on a dahlia affirms today and gives hope for tomorrow.
Jayne In Georgia 
Last year marked my first experiment with dahlias. I bought two tubers late in the season from my local hardware store. One looked in bad shape and didn’t come up, but the other, Marie Antoinette, was such fun that this season I bought half a dozen from an Aussie supplier Country Dahlias. As we are a season ahead of you, mine are all up now (well except for the original Marie Antoinette which I accidentally dug up not once, but twice). They are all about 4 inches high at present. I can’t wait for autumn, and I too went for colour – mainly dark reds and oranges.
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You have a wonderful blog – I will follow and hope to see the progress of your dahlias!!
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We have heavy clay soils and dahlias often rot. Even so, I couldn’t resist and bought three (!) this weekend. I will try my best to grow them although I am not very hopeful. I have had a difficult 2012 too, and I agree, the garden is always a source of peace and joy.
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Love that Myrtles Folly – one to look out for I think. I didn’t do very well with my dahlias last year – so I am hoping for better this year.
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Myrtle’s Folly is a beautiful dahlia with those lovely colors. I have not grown dahlias for years because I have been still creating my beds. Maybe one day…
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JAYNE! HOW LOVELY to wake up and come to see your comment AND your invitation to celebrate spring! Oh let me tell you, we are freezing over here, but with very little to no snow. The way January is rushing by, we shall have our first peek of dahlias and other lovelies in the garden! Thank you so much for a bright and lovely post and for coming to visit! Anita
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Jayne: What a beautiful post! Thank you for the visit, I am so glad I stopped by today. I will think of you when my dahlias bloom!
Best,
Liz
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