<![CDATA[Dahlia Hotline]]>Dahlia Hotline: A Weekly Dahlia Growing Podcast with a Midwest Perspective

Dahlia Hotline is a weekly podcast about growing dahlias, hosted by Christin of Black Penny Farms (zone 6b) and Danlye of Vynehill (zone 5a). Whether you're a hobby grower with pots on a patio, a suburban farm, or running a full-sized flower farm, Dahlia Hotline is here for you! Each episode, two working flower farmers get real about what's thriving in the field, what's not, and what's on the to-do list for the week ahead.

We focus on the unique needs of dahlias grown in the Midwest, from short seasons and late springs to summer heat, humidity, storms, and early frosts. Growing across zones 5a and 6b, we know how much timing can shift with a few degrees and a few weeks, and we share what works in both. But you don't have to be in the Midwest to listen. Dahlias have the same basic needs everywhere, and you'll find plenty here for growers in any zone or climate. From planting tubers and pinching to pest control, disease management, digging and dividing, and selling cut flowers, we cover the practical questions you're actually asking. You'll get honest, field-tested advice with plenty of laughs along the way.

Have a dahlia question from anywhere in the world? Send it in and we'll answer it on the show.

New episodes every week. Subscribe for dahlia growing tips, cut flower farming insights, and seasonal what-to-do-now guidance.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:42:56 GMTSun, 20 Sep 2026 17:13:28 GMT60Christin Allen and Danlye Jones<p><b>Dahlia Hotline: A Weekly Dahlia Growing Podcast with a Midwest Perspective</b></p><p>Dahlia Hotline is a weekly podcast about growing dahlias, hosted by Christin of Black Penny Farms (zone 6b) and Danlye of Vynehill (zone 5a). Whether you're a hobby grower with pots on a patio, a suburban farm, or running a full-sized flower farm, Dahlia Hotline is here for you! Each episode, two working flower farmers get real about what's thriving in the field, what's not, and what's on the to-do list for the week ahead.</p><p>We focus on the unique needs of dahlias grown in the Midwest, from short seasons and late springs to summer heat, humidity, storms, and early frosts. Growing across zones 5a and 6b, we know how much timing can shift with a few degrees and a few weeks, and we share what works in both. But you don't have to be in the Midwest to listen. Dahlias have the same basic needs everywhere, and you'll find plenty here for growers in any zone or climate. From planting tubers and pinching to pest control, disease management, digging and dividing, and selling cut flowers, we cover the practical questions you're actually asking. You'll get honest, field-tested advice with plenty of laughs along the way.</p><p>Have a dahlia question from anywhere in the world? Send it in and we'll answer it on the show.</p><p>New episodes every week. Subscribe for dahlia growing tips, cut flower farming insights, and seasonal what-to-do-now guidance.</p>episodicChristin Allen and Danlye Jonesdanlye@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Store Your Dahlia Tubers The Easy Way]]>The conversation revolves around the experiences and challenges faced by two dahlia growers, Christin and Danlye, as they discuss their current activities in the field, including tagging, photographing, and preparing for winter growing. They share insights on plant care, mislabeling issues, and the importance of proper tagging to ensure successful blooms and accurate identification of their dahlias. The conversation delves into the intricacies of growing and storing dahlias, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant behavior in relation to seasonal changes and environmental factors. It also highlights practical experiences and lessons learned from gardening, particularly in managing tuber production and storage methods. The conversation focuses on the best practices for harvesting, storing, and preparing dahlias for the end of the growing season, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques to ensure healthy tubers and successful blooms in the following year.


Takeaways

  • Importance of proper tagging
  • Challenges of mislabeling plants Understanding seasonal plant behavior
  • Effective dahlia storage techniques Proper storage techniques for tubers
  • Importance of frost protection


Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Dahlia Farming
  • 00:56 Current Activities in the Field
  • 03:00 Seedling Development and Breeding
  • 04:45 Tagging and Identifying Plants
  • 09:04 Weather Monitoring and Plant Care
  • 12:57 Best Practices for Tagging Dahlias
  • 17:05 Overwintering Dahlias and Experimentation
  • 21:53 The Insulating Power of Snow
  • 25:18 Learning Through Gardening Experiences
  • 30:01 Fertilizing and Plant Care in Late Season
  • 35:13 Storing Dahlias: Best Practices
  • 41:44 Trial and Error in Gardening Solutions
  • 47:08 Harvesting and Storing Tubers
  • 52:36 Preparing for Frost and Season End
  • 01:00:18 Dealing with Plant Diseases and Galls
]]>68030656-fcf2-45be-af65-02dc2b9ad033Thu, 01 Oct 2026 19:32:07 GMT<p>The conversation revolves around the experiences and challenges faced by two dahlia growers, Christin and Danlye, as they discuss their current activities in the field, including tagging, photographing, and preparing for winter growing. They share insights on plant care, mislabeling issues, and the importance of proper tagging to ensure successful blooms and accurate identification of their dahlias. The conversation delves into the intricacies of growing and storing dahlias, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant behavior in relation to seasonal changes and environmental factors. It also highlights practical experiences and lessons learned from gardening, particularly in managing tuber production and storage methods. The conversation focuses on the best practices for harvesting, storing, and preparing dahlias for the end of the growing season, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques to ensure healthy tubers and successful blooms in the following year.</p><p><br /></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Importance of proper tagging</li><li>Challenges of mislabeling plants Understanding seasonal plant behavior</li><li>Effective dahlia storage techniques Proper storage techniques for tubers</li><li>Importance of frost protection</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Dahlia Farming</li><li>00:56 Current Activities in the Field</li><li>03:00 Seedling Development and Breeding</li><li>04:45 Tagging and Identifying Plants</li><li>09:04 Weather Monitoring and Plant Care</li><li>12:57 Best Practices for Tagging Dahlias</li><li>17:05 Overwintering Dahlias and Experimentation</li><li>21:53 The Insulating Power of Snow</li><li>25:18 Learning Through Gardening Experiences</li><li>30:01 Fertilizing and Plant Care in Late Season</li><li>35:13 Storing Dahlias: Best Practices</li><li>41:44 Trial and Error in Gardening Solutions</li><li>47:08 Harvesting and Storing Tubers</li><li>52:36 Preparing for Frost and Season End</li><li>01:00:18 Dealing with Plant Diseases and Galls</li></ul>no00:50:04Store Your Dahlia Tubers The Easy Wayfull<![CDATA[Welcome to the Dahlia Hotline: A Brutal Dahlia Season, Tuber Storage & When to Dig]]>Danlye Jones of Vynehill (zone 5a) and Christin Allen of Black Penny Farms (zone 6b) kick off Dahlia Hotline with an honest look at a brutal late-season dahlia year: flooding, drought, wind, spider mites, and rodents. Then they get practical about the decisions that still need to be made before digging season.

Whether you're a hobby grower with pots on a patio, a suburban farm, or running a full-sized flower farm, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

  • How to adapt your dahlia growing plan when the weather takes over
  • Why the same variety performs differently in different soil, and why soil and leaf tissue tests matter
  • Spider mites in drought and heat, plus rodent and raccoon damage
  • A drill-and-auger method for planting dahlias and bulbs
  • How to photograph and label dahlia varieties before fall changes them
  • When to dig dahlia tubers, and why there's no single right date
  • How to store dahlia tubers: peat moss vs. potting soil vs. coco, and basement, barn, and garage storage
  • How to decide which cultivars to cut from next year's list

Timestamps:
01:29 How the season has gone
01:43 Flooding and damage control
04:52 Zinnias as a sanity saver
07:32 Soil differences and watering
09:05 Why soil tests matter
11:03 Spider mites in drought and heat
12:09 Rodents and raccoons
14:20 The drill-and-auger planting method
18:30 Tulips and daffodils
23:46 Photographing and labeling varieties
28:25 Cutting cultivars from next year's list
31:29 Creating a premium tuber unboxing experience
35:42 When to dig dahlia tubers
38:22 Storage: heated barns, basements, and garages
42:39 Peat moss, potting soil, and coco
45:31 Using Brix readings to compare plant health
49:35 What's coming next on the show

Have a dahlia question? Send it in and we'll answer it on the show. New episodes every week.

]]>368d256c-d591-42c6-9cec-a1b30dc36d9cSun, 20 Sep 2026 17:41:00 GMT<p>Danlye Jones of Vynehill (zone 5a) and Christin Allen of Black Penny Farms (zone 6b) kick off Dahlia Hotline with an honest look at a brutal late-season dahlia year: flooding, drought, wind, spider mites, and rodents. Then they get practical about the decisions that still need to be made before digging season.</p><p>Whether you're a hobby grower with pots on a patio, a suburban farm, or running a full-sized flower farm, this episode is for you.</p><p>In this episode:</p><ul><li>How to adapt your dahlia growing plan when the weather takes over</li><li>Why the same variety performs differently in different soil, and why soil and leaf tissue tests matter</li><li>Spider mites in drought and heat, plus rodent and raccoon damage</li><li>A drill-and-auger method for planting dahlias and bulbs</li><li>How to photograph and label dahlia varieties before fall changes them</li><li>When to dig dahlia tubers, and why there's no single right date</li><li>How to store dahlia tubers: peat moss vs. potting soil vs. coco, and basement, barn, and garage storage</li><li>How to decide which cultivars to cut from next year's list</li></ul><p>Timestamps:<br />01:29 How the season has gone<br />01:43 Flooding and damage control<br />04:52 Zinnias as a sanity saver<br />07:32 Soil differences and watering<br />09:05 Why soil tests matter<br />11:03 Spider mites in drought and heat<br />12:09 Rodents and raccoons<br />14:20 The drill-and-auger planting method<br />18:30 Tulips and daffodils<br />23:46 Photographing and labeling varieties<br />28:25 Cutting cultivars from next year's list<br />31:29 Creating a premium tuber unboxing experience<br />35:42 When to dig dahlia tubers<br />38:22 Storage: heated barns, basements, and garages<br />42:39 Peat moss, potting soil, and coco<br />45:31 Using Brix readings to compare plant health<br />49:35 What's coming next on the show</p><p>Have a dahlia question? Send it in and we'll answer it on the show. New episodes every week.</p>no00:40:5611Welcome to the Dahlia Hotline: A Brutal Dahlia Season, Tuber Storage & When to Digfull