Watering Through the Heat

07-26-2026

If there's one thing growing dahlias teaches you, it's that every season brings its own set of challenges.

Here in southwestern Idaho, we've settled into a stretch of triple-digit temperatures. The days are long, the soil dries quickly, and every living thing is searching for relief from the heat.

Thankfully, one of the blessings of farming in the Treasure Valley is access to irrigation water. Throughout the growing season, we're able to overhead sprinkle our dahlia fields, giving the plants a deep soaking that helps them thrive even during the hottest days. Watching those sprinklers slowly sweep across the rows is one of my favorite sights this time of year. It's a reminder that preparation and good stewardship make all the difference when difficult weather arrives.

This week has brought another challenge that many of us across the West are experiencing—the smoky skies.

Wildfires burning in Oregon have filled our skies with haze. While the smoke softens the morning sun and creates beautiful orange sunrises and sunsets, it also blocks a portion of the sunlight our plants depend on for healthy growth. Dahlias love sunshine, and although the temperatures remain hot, the heavy smoke limits the amount of light reaching the field.

As growers, there isn't much we can do about smoke drifting hundreds of miles across the region. Like rainstorms, wind, hail, or unexpected frost, it's another reminder that farming has always required patience and trust.

For now, we'll continue watering, cultivating, and caring for the plants one day at a time while hoping for cooler temperatures and for the firefighters working tirelessly to bring the Oregon fires under control. Our prayers are especially with the families and communities directly affected by these fires.

The dahlias continue to grow stronger each week. Buds are forming throughout the field, fresh new branches are appearing after our recent cutback, and little by little the rows are becoming greener and fuller despite the challenges.

Gardening—and farming—has a way of teaching us the same lesson over and over again.

We can faithfully do the work we've been given, but so much of the outcome remains in God's hands.

For today, we'll keep the sprinklers running, keep watching the skies, and keep looking forward to the beautiful blooms that are still to come.

Best,

Debra Flaming

Flaming Acres Dahlias