Three days of rain are threatening to ruin the dahlias which in our gardens are at their peak.

I have been using fungicide after each large rain event, 5.8 inches last night, and so far there is no sign of mildew.

We have paid more attention to dis budding and thinning foliage this year. The aim is for fewer but better flowers on longer stems. Spacing has also been increased to 40" and we are using iron fence stakes painted Carolina blue to stake the plants.

The bad news is that the names washed off the stakes.

I need to come us with a better way to label the plants. Next Year...