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Quote of the Day: Terry Kay

October 2nd, 2011

“What grows in the garden so lovely and rare?
Roses and dahlias and people grow there.”

Terry Kay


At the moment I have these lovely little roses blooming in the garden on the front hillside. These roses are easy care, they bloom beautifully all summer long with no work from me. In the spring I give them a watering with fish emulsion and that’s it.

I don’t grow dahlias in the garden, at least not yet. I bought these at Local Roots last week to enjoy on my table. At fifty cents each I thought they were a steal.
My mom and I decided, after seeing these beauties at the market, that we’re going to grow dahlias in the potager we share next year. We will set aside a portion of the garden for some posies to grace our tables all summer long, a cutting garden of sorts. If you’ve ever grown dahlias, make sure to comment any suggestions below, as well as any sources for tubers.

What’s your favorite flower for cutting and bringing indoors? Any great recommendations for our cutting garden?

14 Comments to “Quote of the Day: Terry Kay”
  1. Jennifer Fisk on October 2, 2011 at 6:52 am

    My all time favorite are Peonies. Actually, it is almost a necessity to bring them in. If they are left out a rainstorm will beat them down prematurely.
    Probably close behind are Lilacs but since they are right outside my window, I can enjoy the on the bush.

    Reply to Jennifer Fisk's comment

  2. Annie on October 2, 2011 at 7:20 am

    I looove dahlias! I also grow giant marigolds, zinnias, tansy, and yarrow for cutting most years. We have a lot of goldenrod and black eyed susans growing wild on the property those make nice cut flowers too.

    Reply to Annie's comment

  3. Sue Nugent on October 2, 2011 at 7:50 am

    Several of my flowers are looking much better with these cooler days, but I am afraid their revival will be short lived with the inevitable up coming frosts.

    Reply to Sue Nugent's comment

  4. daisy on October 2, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Those dahlias are GOR-GEE-OUS! I have a couple of plants out front, but haven’t had much luck with them yet.

    Our favorite cutting flowers are zinnias, sunflowers, allium, daisies and native salvia.

    Can’t wait to see what you do with your cutting garden!

    Reply to daisy's comment

  5. goatpod2 on October 2, 2011 at 8:09 am

    We don’t cut flowers and bring them in though, our Knock Out rose bushes are still blooming here.

    Amy

    Reply to goatpod2's comment

  6. Mich on October 2, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Im a total dahlia addict and grow rather a large variety for cut flowers. I also grow peonies, scabious, ammi, penstemons and zinnias, delphiniums, alliums, dutch iris & tulips :)

    Reply to Mich's comment

  7. mistresseve on October 2, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Peonies, gladiolas, and whatever fistful of finds from the yard my kids bring in for me.

    Reply to mistresseve's comment

  8. Traci on October 2, 2011 at 11:25 am

    This is my second year growing dahlias. The ones I put in last year I left in the ground which should be OK in my zone, but was not. We had a very wet winter and the tubers all rotted. I now have my second set in the ground and I will defintiely dig them up before winter. They are in full bloom right now and so pretty. I tried one of the dinner plate varities and they are amazing – huge. I ordered my tubers from http://www.dahlias.com/. My best girlfreind lives in Oregon and has been growing dahlias for years. She recommended this source to me and I’ve been happy with them.

    Reply to Traci's comment

    • Susy on October 2, 2011 at 11:55 am

      Thanks for the link – I’ll definitely check them out. It’s always good to hear first hand about a business!

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • Annette on October 2, 2011 at 3:40 pm

        I have grown dahlia’s in my Cincinnati garden, and I love them..they really take off in the fall when a lot of other flowers are spent. Some people here do not dig them up, but the ground is so wet in Ohio in the winter, they tend to rot. I always dig them up and overwinter in my garage. I love the fact that they last for a long time as cut flowers. Some of the most fun and unique dahlia’s I have seen are from Old House Gardens. http://www.oldhousegardens.com I have purchased from them twice, and their service is great and they were very friendly and helpful. They can be expensive for some of the more rare varieties of heirlooms that they have.

        to Annette's comment

  9. Karen on October 2, 2011 at 11:45 am

    I did grown dahlias this summer. I put them at the foot of a tall grass and unfortunately I think the grass shaded them out. They did grow, they just were pretty invisible. However, I realized yesterday that a pretty red bloom was leaning out, so I did cut it for the table. I have beautiful roses but they don’t last long as cut flowers. I’ve had the best luck this year with sunflowers and cosmos. I think next year I will try zinnias again.

    Reply to Karen's comment

  10. KimH on October 2, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    I’ve grown several dilias for the last 2 years. I got my tubers from the local garden supply.. I had a beautiful large white dalia with pink tips in a dark green bottle (vinegar bottle) on my counter all last week.. It was just splendid to look upon!

    Reply to KimH's comment

  11. tj on October 2, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    …I have never grown dahlias but I long to. Your photo is gorgeous btw! :o)

    …Aren’t those Knockout Roses da bomb?! Every year I purchase a few more of ’em ’cause I love ’em and yet at the same time I feel a tad bit guilty because they’re so dadgum easy, and happy! I almost feel like I’m cheating the gardening gods or something because you pretty much just plant ’em and watch ’em bloom! Love that! :o)

    …Thank you ‘Traci’ for the dahlias link!

    …Enjoy your Sunday!

    …Blessings :o)

    Reply to tj's comment

  12. MAYBELLINE on October 2, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Zinnias have growing great for me this year. I rinse the cut stems each day and replace the water in the vase. They last for about 1 week.

    Reply to MAYBELLINE's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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