Did someone in your life inspire your love of gardening? For Randy Marsden, it was definitely his father Ralph, who grew prize-winning dahlias in containers on the family’s rooftop in Southern California during the 1980s.
Though Randy knew that his father loved his plants and tended them carefully, he said his father was always quite modest about how his dahlias had been judged when entered into the competitions at dahlia society shows, which meant the family was not fully aware of just how accomplished a grower their father had become. When his home was cleaned out after his death, however, boxes and boxes of ribbons and awards won by the senior Marsden’s blossoms over the years were evidence of his talent, strong work ethic and love for the plants he had chosen to nurture so carefully for many years.
Though Randy Marsden assisted his dad with his plants more and more as his father grew older, it wasn’t until 1990, with Ralph’s gift of a membership to the American Dahlia Society, that Randy and wife Lena became seriously interested in growing dahlias themselves and showing the flowers. Becoming active members of the local Monterey Bay Dahlia Society chapter as well as the national organization fed their interest, as they made contacts with other growers, and gained knowledge and experience. Though their dahlia collection started out small in the yard of their home on Santa Cruz’s Westside, it eventually took over much of the suitable space.
In 2003, the couple moved to a roomy property on a gentle south-facing slope in the Aptos hills where they finally had plenty of space as well as the ideal conditions for a premier dahlia garden. Now retired from careers, the two have time to tend beds containing vegetables, natives and drought-tolerant plants as well as a big terraced garden with around 225 dahlia plants. The day I visited, they were preparing for the Monterey Bay Dahlia Society show, and as they groomed their plants they talked about how they grow their prize-winning flowers.
The native alluvial soil in the terraces has the perfect drainage that dahlia tubers need. Because dahlias are heavy feeders, the Marsdens amend it liberally with homemade compost as well as composted chicken manure from nearby Glaum Ranch. When a soil test showed deficiencies, a special nitrogen mix was added, and they grow a cover crop in winter both to prevent erosion and to add nutrients to the soil when the cover is turned under in early spring. A shallow soil basin under each plant directs fertilizers to the root zone. To minimize the draw from their well, the garden is watered by drip tape laid in the rows under the plants. In hot dry weather, irrigation is done about every third day; however, the Marsdens check the weather and the soil moisture level before watering and adjust the frequency to ensure the plants receive what they need but no water is wasted. The plants are staggered in the rows to ensure good air circulation. Each plant is staked with two to three stakes, and the canes are supported with plastic tie tape that winds around and is attached to the stakes. More tape may be added for additional support as the buds open and the flowers expand and grow heavy.
The Marsdens disbud as needed. This removal of the secondary and tertiary flower buds that form in the leaf axils ensures that the primary flower on each cane develops the best form and size possible. Randy described the time-consuming disbudding task as “a labor of un-love,” though it was obvious that both Marsdens love their plants and are quite happy to devote the time and attention needed to produce the gorgeous blossoms that will win show ribbons and elicit a big “wow!” from each viewer.
I will be there to be wowed all over again, as I was in the Marsdens’ garden. See these spectacular flowers yourself at the annual Monterey Bay Dahlia Society show.
Garden tips are provided courtesy of horticulturist Sharon Hull of the San Lorenzo Garden Center. Contact her at 831-423-0223.