Well I know it’s already 2022 but better late than never right? So here are my ‘best of the best lists’ for 2021. In no particular order:

Top Producers:
These are the dahlias that produce the most stems and also sell the best for tubers.-AKA- the ones that are the most profitable on my farm. This list is numbered but this is not a ranking order.
1. Blizzard
2. Rock Run Ashley
3. Linda’s Baby
4. Sweet Nathalie
5. Small Burgundy
6. Miss Amara
7. Ice Tea
*Honorable mention goes to Caramel Antique, Wine Eyed Jill and Megan Dean. I grew these for the first time this year but I can see the potential for them to be on this list regularly in future years.

Top Tuber Producers:
This list is in ranking order with highest first.
1. Good Day
2. Coseytown Bounty
3. Last Dance and Mingus Toni (tied)
4. Fiona and Hollyhill Finlandia (tied)
5. Honeymoon
6. NTAC Mai Li
7. Bridezilla
8. Blizzard

Top Cut Flowers for Hot Climates
Not in ranking order, just my favorite choices
1. Blizzard
2. Rock Run Ashley
3. Linda’s Baby
4. Bridezilla
5. Beaucon White
6. Miss Amara
7. AC Ben
8. Kenora Lisa
9. Sweet Nathalie
10. Rip City
11. Cafe Au Lait
12. Sonic Bloom
13. Ice Tea
14. Peaches N Cream

Varieties I’m excited to trial for next year:
1. I’m looking for some new whites so— Danum Cupid, White Fawn, Cumulus, Gitt’s Attention
2. New Blushes and peaches- Irish D Porter, Clearview Peachy
3. KA Varieties— Finally got my hands on some cuttings of Kristine Albrecht’s varieties -VERY EXCITED!!
4. New Hollyhill Dahlias b/c I’m a big fan of Hollyhill Dahlias- always excellent genetics- HH Cotton Candy, Frodo, and Regal
5. 2nd year trials— These are varieties I grew this year and am keeping for a second year. I’m most excited about Sugartown Sunrise, Coralie, Rose Toscano, Hapet Champagne, and Fiona

Last but definitely not least, I kept track of how long it took to process the tubers this year: (For 2200 plants)
Digging: 39 hours
Washing: 15 hours
Dividing: 75 Hours
Storage: Still going but estimate 15-20 hours

So, do you have any good varieties to tell me about? Send me an email!!