What bloom boasts over 57,000 varieties, was recently popularized by Martha Stewart, and has a retired mechanic from Andover, Minnesota, on a quest for his next blue ribbon?
More on Martha Stewart in a moment.
First, meet Arnie Sachs, 79 years young and going strong in Andover, MN. That’s him, holding the ladder steady while I capture a photo of his towering 8-foot dahlia, “Grandpa’s Gift,” a bloom that has brought home numerous blue ribbons.
We recently walked through his garden, talking about a hobby that started after retirement and has now blossomed into his passion. Arnie plants nearly 200 dahlia tubers each spring across his 2-acre yard, tending to them with care throughout the summer.
Umbrellas? Not just for rain. In Arnie’s garden, they protect his precious blooms from Minnesota’s winds, rains and sun. And come fall, he digs up the tubers, wraps them in plastic, and stores them under the porch for winter, ready to start again the following spring.
Curious about how to prepare dahlias for planting? Here’s a helpful link to guide you through the process: Dahlia Tuber Prep Guide.
Arnie’s love for dahlias goes back to childhood when his mother grew them on their family farm. He spent his adult years growing vegetables, and everything changed about 20 years ago at the State Fair.
“We (with wife Mary) were at the fair and saw the dahlia show,” Arnie says with a grin. “I thought, well, I’ll try this. And it’s been going ever since.”
What began as a post-retirement hobby has turned into a full-on job. A former transmission repair mechanic, Arnie may have left his shop, but his drive for precision hasn’t faded. While he’s soft-spoken and humble, he’s passionate about his ribbons.
“I didn’t really start showing my blooms until about ten years ago. You might get a white or blue ribbon at first, but then you work your way up to the Court of Honor. For the last four or five years, I’ve been there,” he says with pride.
The Court of Honor is the highest distinction in the Minnesota Dahlia Society. Arnie has so many ribbons now that he’s started giving them back after he wins.
“We recycle them,” he chuckles. “Otherwise, I’d have a room full of ribbons, and Mary would be telling me to get rid of them.”
So, what’s his secret to success?
“I get a load of cow manure from a farmer friend, put that down in the fall, and till it in. I did a soil test, and it showed I needed nitrogen, so I use heavy nitrogen fertilizer, even though some people say you shouldn’t. But it works for me.”
And his favorite bloom? The one in the photo—“Grandpa’s Gift.”
“I paid $39 for that tuber,” Arnie tells me.“
Is that expensive?” I ask.
“For a tuber, yes,” he replies. “It’s only the second or third year that flower’s been available, and only a couple of us in the club have it.”
Dahlia tubers can range from $8 for common varieties to as much as $45 for rare, sought-after ones.
But for him, “Grandpa’s Gift” is worth every penny.
Arnie’s not the only one in the family with a knack for dahlias. His grandson, Noah, recently took home a blue ribbon as an amateur at the State Fair. The tradition might just live on.
If you want to see Arnie’s award-winning dahlias in person, you can catch them at Bachman’s on Lyndale on September 14th and 15th during the Minnesota Dahlia Society show. It’s a sight you won’t want to miss: Bachman’s Event Info.
And now, back to Martha Stewart. She has played a huge role in making dahlias a go-to flower for weddings. Whether on her TV shows or in her magazines, her influence on gardening and décor trends is undeniable. Thanks to her, dahlias are now a centerpiece for many couples on their big day.
What’s your favorite dahlia?
I’d love to know as we continue to Bloom Together Through Every Season!
Diana
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