There is always something exciting happening in the dahlia field this time of year. This week brought one of those milestone moments we look forward to every season.

Every Garden Has a Story. One of the greatest joys of growing dahlias isn't simply watching flowers bloom—it is seeing where they bloom.

This weekend our nation celebrated 250 years since the birth of America. Like many families, we watched the fireworks, listened to patriotic music, and reflected on the blessings we sometimes forget to count. As I watched the celebrations, my thoughts drifted to two people who would have appreciated this anniversary more than most—my parents. I am a first-generation American. That is a statement I have never taken lightly.

One of my favorite days each month is Subscriber Perks Delivery Day. It's the day we get to share something special with the wonderful community that has chosen to follow along with our journey here at Flaming Acres Dahlias. Today, our June Perks have been delivered to every subscriber's inbox. This month's collection was created to help subscribers enjoy their summer garden with confidence and inspiration.

Friday was a stormy day here in Idaho's Treasure Valley. Before turning in for the evening, I took one last walk through the garden and our dahlia fields. Everything looked peaceful, and I thought the rain had finally passed. I was wrong.

The past few weeks here at Flaming Acres have been full. Full of growing things. Full of family. Full of work. Full of moments that have reminded me just how precious each day truly is.

Growing up, Dad and I were inseparable. If he was going somewhere, I usually went too. We picked up supplies for projects together. We drove to Saxton Fruit Orchard for apples. We picked out Christmas trees. We went skiing at Bogus Basin, fishing, biking, and water skiing.

June 8th, 2026 Feeding for Blooms, Not Just Leaves One of the most rewarding things about growing dahlias is watching them transform from a simple tuber into a strong, vigorous plant covered in blooms. While sunlight and water are essential parts of that journey, proper fertilization also plays an important role in helping dahlias reach their full potential. The key is understanding what you're really feeding. The goal isn't simply to grow the biggest plant possible. The goal

This morning brought one of my favorite moments of the entire growing season. As Dion and I walked through the dahlia field, checking rows and watching for signs of life, we spotted it—a tiny green sprout pushing its way through the soil. The first sprout of 2026...Ali Oop!

Deep Roots Begin with Deep Watering. One of the most important lessons dahlia growers learn is that healthy plants begin beneath the soil. When dahlias struggle to thrive, wilt during warm afternoons, or produce fewer blooms than expected, watering is often at the heart of the issue. While watering may seem simple, understanding when and how to water dahlias can make a tremendous difference in the health and performance of your plants throughout the growing season.

The Beauty of Waiting for the First Bloom There is something magical about the anticipation that comes with growing dahlias. After carefully planting tubers in spring, watering tender shoots, and watching green stems slowly stretch toward the sun, every dahlia grower begins looking for the same thing—the first bloom.

Some of the most exciting flowers growing at Flaming Acres this year aren't varieties we purchased—they're varieties that began as tiny seeds and have become something entirely their own. This week, I transplanted our greenhouse-grown Flaming Originals into the garden, and as I worked among the plants, I found myself reflecting on the remarkable journey these dahlias have already taken.

May 29th, 2026. Today marks a remarkable milestone in our family as my parents, Stanley and Elisabeth Ilin, celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary. Sixty-six years.

Delivering the May Subscriber Perk. There is something beautiful about this stage of the season. The waiting of spring slowly gives way to the quiet rhythms of early summer. Tiny dahlia sprouts begin stretching toward the sunlight. Young plants gain strength with each passing day. Gardens start to feel alive again.

One of the most encouraging things for beginner dahlia growers to discover is this: You do not need a large garden to grow beautiful dahlias. In fact, dahlias can thrive wonderfully in containers and pots when given the right conditions. Whether you garden on a small patio, front porch, balcony, or simply want blooms close to your home, container growing can be a simple and rewarding way to enjoy dahlias all season long.

One of the biggest surprises for many new dahlia growers is discovering that freshly planted tubers usually do not need much water right away. In fact, during these early weeks beneath the soil, less water is often better. Your dahlia tuber already contains stored energy and moisture inside the tuber itself. After planting, it quietly begins forming roots beneath the soil long before you ever see green growth above ground.

Planting dahlias is one of the most exciting parts of the growing season. Beneath the soil, something beautiful is quietly beginning to unfold. And while planting is simple, taking a few thoughtful steps at the beginning can make a tremendous difference in the health, strength, and blooming potential of your plants later in the season. The good news? Dahlias are wonderfully resilient plants. You do not need to plant them perfectly to grow something beautiful.

This past week was one of those weeks here at Flaming Acres Dahlias. Dion and I stepped into the week carrying equal parts excitement and uncertainty as we prepared to plant our dahlia tubers for the 2026 growing season. The biggest question hanging over us was simple: Would the modified potato planter actually work for planting dahlias?

There are days that feel full in all the right ways. Today was one of those days. On this Mother’s Day, my heart feels especially grateful.

Today, Flaming Acres Dahlias had the honor of joining so many dahlia lovers, growers, hybridizers, and friends who gathered at Franz Witte to support the Goncalves family and celebrate the beauty and meaning behind the Kaylee Jade dahlia.