Discover the joy of growing your own vibrant dahlias at Dahlia Delight: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Stunning Blooms! Taking place on May 17 at Gurus Organics Farm in Harwinton, CT, this beginner-friendly workshop offers expert guidance and hands-on experience to help you cultivate breathtaking flowers in your own garden.What’s Included:Step-by-step instruction on dahlia planting, soil preparation, watering, and fertilizationHands-on practice with professional guidanceTips on staking, pruning, and maximizing bloom productionTake-home dahlia tubers with tiered ticket optionsLive Q&A session and a bonus bouquet wrapping demoOptional community planting opportunity after the classTicket Options:General Admission ($30): Access to the full workshop and educational materials.Bloom Starter Package ($55): Includes three dahlia tubers.Dahlia Enthusiast Package ($85): Includes six premium dahlia tubers and additional growing supplies.VIP Bloom & Grow Package ($120): Includes 10 dahlia tubers, access to exclusive dahlia varieties, personalized consultation, and extra take-home materials. 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Welcome & Check-In• Light refreshments (coffee, tea, and snacks).• Attendees receive their handouts and any included materials.• Brief introduction to the class, expectations, and goals for the day.10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Dahlia Basics – Lecture & Presentation (Includes 15-minute Q&A at the end)• Understanding Dahlias – History, classification, and why they’re a gardener’s favorite.• Types of Dahlias – Overview of the different classifications, advantages/disadvantages, and common varieties.• Ideal Growing Conditions – Sunlight, spacing, soil needs, and microclimate considerations.• Soil Preparation – pH balance, amendments, and setting up an ideal planting bed.• Planting Tubers – When and how to plant for best results.• Fertilization & Watering Needs – Understanding the importance of nutrients and proper moisture management.• Pinching & Pruning for More Blooms – How to get the most flowers from each plant.11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Hands-On Planting Demonstration• Step-by-step planting tutorial – Attendees will observe proper tuber orientation, planting depth, and spacing.• Soil preparation in action – How to amend soil before planting.• Watering strategies – When to water and how much to avoid rot.• Staking & Support – Demonstration of staking techniques for taller varieties.• Fertilization demonstration – How to apply the right nutrients at the right time.• Hands-on practice – Attendees plant their own dahlia tubers in a demo area or take-home pots.11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Break• Time for refreshments, casual discussion, and networking.• Attendees can explore additional tuber varieties for sale.12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Pest & Disease Prevention• Common Dahlia Pests – Identification and organic solutions.• Fungal & Bacterial Issues – How to prevent powdery mildew, tuber rot, and other diseases.• Best Practices for a Healthy Dahlia Garden – Crop rotation, soil health, and companion planting.• Open Q&A on Troubleshooting Issues – Address specific concerns attendees may have.12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Tuber Selection• Guided Tuber Selection – Attendees choose their included tubers based on availability.• Additional Sales Opportunity – Premium tubers available for purchase.• Individual Consultation – One-on-one advice for selecting tubers best suited to attendees’ growing conditions.• Final Q&A – Open session for any remaining questions before class wraps up.1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Wrap-Up & Bonus Tips• Simple Bouquet Wrapping – A brief demonstration on how to cut and wrap dahlias into a small bouquet.• Bonus Additional Tips – Extra care tips for growing your dahlias through the season, including storage, common mistakes, and future classes.1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Community Chat & Farewell• A casual networking period to share thoughts, ask last-minute questions, and connect with fellow attendees.• Option to socialize, discuss upcoming gardening projects, and exchange contact info.• Farewell and thank you to all participants!
