Dooryard Farm and Merryspring Nature Center are teaming up to offer “Dahlias Year-Round,” a four-part workshop series. Sessions will take place from 2 to 4 p.m., April 18, at Merryspring and from 3 to 4 p.m., May 23, September 19 and October 17 at Dooryard Farm.  The series is geared towards novice dahlia growers, but open to more experienced dahlia enthusiasts, as there is always more to learn about these captivating plants!

The four workshops will roughly align with dahlia care over the four seasons.  April’s “winter” session will include an introduction to dahlias followed by a workshop on waking up tubers, rooting dahlia shoots and starting dahlias from seed.  At May’s “spring” session, participants will learn the basics of planting and staking, as well as how and why to “pinch” young dahlia plants and how to scout for pests.  At September’s “summer” session, participants can look forward to a workshop on harvesting, handling blooms, and “deadheading,” followed by an exclusive opportunity to pick their own bouquet at the Dooryard Dahlia field!  Finally, October’s workshop will demystify tuber digging, dividing and storage.  

Marina Sideris is co-owner of Dooryard Farm in Camden.  Three years ago, Sideris purchased Endless Summer Flower Farm, a 25-year old dahlia farm, from neighbors Phil and Karen Clark.  Dooryard Farm now features Dooryard Dahlias, growing dozens of varieties and thousands of dahlia plants, in addition to several acres of mixed vegetables.  John Fromer is Program Director at Merryspring and a flower and vegetable farmer with many years of dahlia-growing experience.  Questions? Please email Marina@DooryardFarmMaine.com.  For more information and to register, please visit: DooryardFarmMaine.com/events.