Freeport Memorial Library: Paul “The Plant Man: July 17 @2pm
Freeport Memorial Library has a wonderful garden program coming up with Paul "The Plant Man" called Ornamental Grass and Watering Techniques on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM. There is still plenty of space for the program and if you would like to register for the program you can email me at cbisonette@freeportlibrary.info or ask@freeportlibrary.info, call us at (516) 379-3274, or come to the ASK Desk.
LI Dahlia Gardens
Check out Newsday, July 6th edition: LI Life page E3, for an article featuring LI dahlia gardens. Thanks to contributors Robert, Mike, and LIDS. Photo Credit Bill Barash.
Check out Newsday, July 6th edition: LI Life page E3, for an article featuring LI dahlia gardens. Thanks to contributors Robert, Mike, and LIDS. Photo Credit Bill Barash.
They’re back
Lantern fly nymph. At this stage quite small. At a quick glance, you would think it is a black spider. Closer inspection, notice the polka dots. They do fly even at this stage.
Lantern fly 2025 season is officially underway. If you spot these polka dot nymphs, eliminate them as best you can.
Join the American Dahlia Society
As a Mid Island Dahlia Society member, you already know the joy, beauty, and community that come with growing dahlias. By joining the American Dahlia Society, you’ll take that experience to the next level. Read more.
Courtesy of: Dahlia Society of Ohio
As a Mid Island Dahlia Society member, you already know the joy, beauty, and community that come with growing dahlias. By joining the American Dahlia Society, you’ll take that experience to the next level. Here’s why it’s worth it:
National Connection
Connect with passionate dahlia growers across the country. Share knowledge, get expert advice, and be part of a vibrant network that supports your love of dahlias.
Exclusive Resources
Enjoy access to The Bulletin, ADS’s quarterly magazine filled with stunning photos, growing tips, show updates, and in-depth articles from top growers.Growing Support & Innovation
ADS leads the way in developing new classification systems, organizing competitive shows, and supporting hybridizers. Your membership helps keep the dahlia world thriving and evolving.Show & Judging Opportunities
Interested in entering or judging dahlia shows? ADS membership is required for many sanctioned events and training programs. It's your ticket to deeper involvement.Dahlia Resources & Tools
Gain access to the ADS Classification Handbook, online resources, and other tools to help you grow better dahlias and identify the latest varieties.
Being part of ADS supports not just your own garden—but the future of dahlia growing in America. It’s a natural next step for any serious enthusiast. Join today and help our community bloom even brighter.
Courtesy of Dahlia Society of Ohio
Paul Callahan Garden refurbished
The 7 month PROJECT to refurbish the Paul Callahan Garden is complete and the beds are filling up with new plants. Many thanks to Vincent Simeone (Planting Fields Arboretum Director) and the New York State Park staff for their hard work. During the renovation, special attention was paid to those beds with drainage problems. The Park team dug up the beds in November to lay a new gravel foundation, worked on the beds through December, and filled the beds with all new soil in April. The beds were ready for planting by our MIDS volunteers in May. Please visit our garden soon; the blooms should be spectacular!
The 7 month PROJECT to refurbish the Paul Callahan Garden is complete and the beds are filling up with new plants. Many thanks to Vincent Simeone (Planting Fields Arboretum Director) and the New York State Park staff for their hard work. During the renovation, special attention was paid to those beds with drainage problems. The Park team dug up the beds in November to lay a new gravel foundation, worked on the beds through December, and filled the beds with all new soil in April. The beds were ready for planting by our MIDS volunteers in May. Please visit our garden soon; the blooms should be spectacular!
Cornell /East Meadow Farm beds planted
Cornell / East Meadow Farm beds all planted. Thanks to our great volunteers!
Thanks to our great volunteers!
Plant Sale -Thank You
Garden enthusiast Alex Calamba stopped by our tuber sale table during SUNY Farmingdale’s Annual Plant Sale
Thanks to volunteers and patrons for making our SUNY Farmingdale Plant Sale a success. We had a visit from LI garden enthusiast Alex Calamba.
Espoma Organic Fertilizer donation
The Mid Island Dahlia Society would like to extend a very special " Thank You" to Espoma Organic Fertilizers for their generous donation of their outstanding products to our dahlia display gardens. Their generosity is greatly appreciated.
Cornell/EMF tubers continue to be bagged up.
Tubers to be planted at Cornell / EMF are bagged up.
Bluebird Moon Dahlias’ donation
The Mid Island Dahlia Society would like to extend a special "Thank You" to Bluebird Moon Dahlias for their very generous donation of five(5) boxes of beautiful dahlia tubers to be grown in our display gardens. They are greatly appreciated.
Potting up tubers
Tuber potting is coming along at the East meadow Farm greenhouse. Many thanks to our Friday helpers.
New dahlia bed in Eisenhower Park.
New cut flower bed installed in Eisenhower Park.
New Dahlia Cut Flower Beds are being installed at both Eisenhower and Cornell/East Meadow Farms gardens. Look for cut flowers this summer at Eisenhower Park Farmer’s Market.
Dahlia Propagation Timeline
Check out Sonia Harmon, CSDS’s article in the Midwest Dahlia Conference’s February Newsletter. She presents a timeline for planting cuttings, plants, tubers, and starting seeds.
Check out Sonia Harmon, CSDS’s article in the Midwest Dahlia Conference’s February Newsletter. She presents a timeline for planting cuttings, plants, tubers, and starting seeds.
Winter tuber check-up
A wet tuber will spread rot to other tubers. This is why it is important to check on stored tubers.
As we settle into these cold winter months, please remember to check on your stored tubers for wet tubers. Any rot has to be removed or it will spread to the other healthy tubers and rot them out too. After removing the rotten tubers, a dusting with an antifungal powder is recommended. The Mid island Dahlia Society uses a mixture of 70% Diatomaceous Earth, 20% sulfur and 10% cinnamon.
Callahan Garden tubers wintering in Planting Fields root cellar …
MIDS volunteers have closed the 2024 Callahan Garden season. On Dec. 4 the last of the tubers were trimmed and labeled in the production greenhouse and sent over to the root cellar for storage. Many thanks to everyone: volunteers, NYS Park and PF personnel, who joined in this effort. In March, we start again!
MIDS volunteers have closed the 2024 Paul Callahan Garden season. On Dec. 4 the last of the tubers were trimmed and labeled in the production greenhouse and sent over to the root cellar for storage. Many thanks to everyone: volunteers, NYS Park and PF personnel, who joined in this effort. In March, we start again!
Eisenhower and Cornell/ EMF gardens wrap up.
Thank you to MIDS volunteers who trimmed and bagged the Eisenhower and Cornell / EMF garden tubers. Tubers are now stored for the 2025 season.
All the tubers have been trimmed and bagged for the Spring 2025 season.
Congratulations to Robert Fackovec!
Robert takes 1st Place in the Dahlia Society of Ohio’s annual dahlia photo contest in the ‘Critters and People’ category.
Robert takes 1st Place in the Dahlia Society of Ohio’s annual dahlia photo contest in the Critters and People category.
Closing down your garden.
Check out the detailed articles from the NEW England Dahlia Society (NEDS) in the Dahlia Care section / Seasonal Articles page. There are very detailed articles of digging up, trimming, and storing your tubers.
Check out the detailed articles from the New England Dahlia Society (NEDS) in the Dahlia Care section / Seasonal Articles page. There are very detailed articles of digging up, trimming, and storing your tubers.
Happy Halloween
Did you know October 31st is the midway point between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Reflects our garden journey transitioning between the summer blooms and settling our tubers in for their long winter’s nap.
Image: Vecteezy.com
Eisenhower Garden
It’s a wrap at Eisenhower … tubers dug up and cleaned. Next task - trimming and readying for storage.
It’s a wrap at Eisenhower … tubers dug up and cleaned. Next task trimming and readying for storage.