From Our Hands to Your Gardens:
- Debra Flaming
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
There is a quiet kind of triumph that comes at the end of something long, labor-intensive, and deeply meaningful.
On April 10th at 2:50 PM Mountain Time, we carried the final packages of our dahlia tubers into our little post office—marking the official close of our very first full shipping season here at Flaming Acres Dahlias.
What began on March 9th, with shipments heading out to our warm southern states, slowly unfolded over the course of a month… moving northward, one carefully packed box at a time, until the final deliveries reached our colder northern regions.
And just like that—every tuber found its way home.
A Labor of Love (and Vermiculite!)
Behind each package was a process that can only be described as a labor of love.
Our tubers had been resting all winter in their beds of vermiculite—tucked away in dormancy, waiting for their moment. One by one, they were brought out, inspected, sorted, and matched to each order with intention and care.
Hours were spent in the shed—hands dusty, hearts hopeful—selecting only the very best tubers that made it through the winter strong and viable.
Each order was:
Carefully organized
Thoughtfully wrapped
Clearly labeled
Packed for safe travels
And personally delivered to the post office
It was physical work. Long days. A steep learning curve.
But it was also sacred in its own way—sending pieces of our farm out into gardens across the country.
The Honest Side of Growing
As much as we celebrate the beauty, we also believe in sharing the truth behind growing.
Not every variety performed the way we had hoped this winter.
Some of our most beloved dahlias—Windhaven Brulee, Dancin Queen, Penhill Dark Monarch, Zoey Rey, Louie Meggos, and Mingus Leroy—proved to be more challenging in storage than expected.
That was disappointing.
But it was also part of the learning.
We are already looking ahead with renewed determination to better understand these varieties, improve our processes, and grow stronger, healthier tubers in the coming season.
Because that’s what this journey is about—learning, adjusting, and continuing forward with purpose.
Grateful Beyond Words
If there is one thing that stands out most from this season, it is you.
Your patience.Your encouragement.Your grace as we navigated this new chapter.
We know this was our first full season stepping into the world of shipping dahlia tubers—and we are incredibly thankful for the trust you placed in us.
We have done our very best to make things right when challenges arose, and we will continue to do so every step of the way.
A Season Closes… A New One Begins
With the final packages sent, our online store is now officially closed for the season.
But here on the farm, things are just getting started.
The next chapter is already unfolding as we prepare for planting season, which is right around the corner. By the end of April, those very tubers—so carefully stored, sorted, and shipped—will begin their journey back into the soil.
Back into the rhythm of growth.Back into the promise of blooms.
And alongside them, we are excited to introduce new varieties that we cannot wait to grow, learn from, and eventually share with you.
Rooted in Purpose
And through it all, it reminded us why we do this—to cultivate beauty, to grow something meaningful, and to share it with others.
From our hands to your gardens… thank you for being part of this journey.
With gratitude,
Debra Flaming
