Terrified of Topping Flowers

When you're a first-time dahlia farmer (like me), few things are as terrifying as snipping off the center bloom-or "topping" -your dahlias.

- Jamie Seitz

In early spring, you check every tuber for signs of growth while they are waking up. Then, you plant them carefully in the soil, praying there is no damage to the neck of the tuber.

Next, you wait patiently (or not so patiently) for the first signs that the dahlia made it through the winter and could become a gorgeous, strong flower. By the time the first teeny green shoot pops through the soil, all you want to do is surround it with bubble wrap and spend the month of June in a sleeping bag next to your highest accomplishment.