THIS YEARS GARDEN CHARITY IS
HELP FOR HEROES
Those of you who have read the countless pages I continue to write - will realise I am just an incurable dahlia nut. So while my mind was occupied with a beautiful early summers day after rain instead of personal matters I began thinking of a way to add yet more money to this years special charity, and I couldn't start with any other while continually hearing of yet more of our armed forces being bought home in silence. So as I am luckily enough to be approaching my seventy ninth year ( you can't be) I am determined to help - with the aid of the dahlia as many charities as I can, and in any way possible.
This is the set up - you are invited to my garden - and for the price of a gold coin introduction you get to ask me as many questions as time allows on the glorious flower. Pretty good deal I'd say and all for a very good cause. All I need you to do is to warn me of your arrival by either telephoning 01202 425182 - emailing ken@kesdahlias.c.uk or by sending a letter to Little Wisley 27 Petersfield Road Bournemouth Dorset BH7 6QG, and I promise I'll do my best to enlighten you on every aspect of dahlia breeding and growing.
Although the garden at Little Wisley is about half the size of the one we had down the bottom of Petersfield Road it is just as interesting to a dahlia enthusiast, and if I say it my self it is always colourful from the time the first flowers open - which are the bedding groups. This year the number of seedlings of all groups has been increased so this will interest many of you. The breeding of this species is not hard as long as you obey a few rules, and a little discrete appliance of science. You see there are many ways to reach your goal besides line breeding. What better way to celebrate a new baby - a wedding - a special date or person - than to breed your very own variety and name it.
This year I realised can't expect others to do that which I can't do my self - I'm not talking about small things because I'm grateful for any help I can get, but the larger tasks. Therefore I'm afraid after this year the covers to protect the giants will have to go, and I'll rely on the good old American way the `Umbrella's' After all the number of giants grown will not be great - unless I suddenly get a spate of giant seedlings. You see I intend to grow all the established varieties in the breeding pool in 2 litre pots, and try to use only hand crossed seed for my own use. This will give me the room I need for my own varieties . As the season advances I'll do my best to take a few photographs to encourage you to spend you golden coin. I am sure you'll be interested if you make the effort to come.
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| Front garden June 15th 2010. | Parking restrictions. | Part of back garden same date. |
So to bring this public appeal to a close let's hope if you live near enough - want a trip to see our patch, or are on holiday in the area you will come and see us. I won't mind if you come in a group, or on your own everyone is welcome. There is no restriction on parking at week-ends, but we are restricted during the week as the notice shows which is bought about to discourage all day parking.
Thank you in anticipation Ken Stock.