Growing Dahlias as Cut Flowers
Learn everything you need to know for success with dahlias as cut flowers, in the best classroom imaginable: a working dahlia farm.
----1 ticket includes:
- 2 hours of hands-on professional training on a working flower farm
- Max class size 12 participants
- Dahlias to take home
Saturday September 27th
Morning: 9:00-11:00am
Afternoon: 12:30-2:30pm
Saturday October 4th
Morning: 9:00-11:00am
Afternoon: 12:30-2:30pm
Saturday October 11th
Afternoon: 12:30-2:30pm
On-site at Sunset View Farm Dahlias
27 Pierce Road, Lafayette Twp, NJ 07848
LEARN TO GROW THE QUEENS OF THE CUT FLOWER GARDEN
Beginner dahlia gardeners are often captivated by the never ending array of exquisite blooms available from dahlias, and rightly so!
But the queens of the cut flower garden require a lot of thought and care to put on a jaw-dropping show.
We'll show you how to avoid common mistakes that stunt or even kill your plants, as well as how to get the biggest blooms or the most blooms (you have a choice!); the right way to harvest and condition for the maximum vase life, and more.
We grow over 10,000 dahlias here in more than 350 varieties. So you'll see examples side by side of plants that:
- have been fertilized vs those that have not been fertilized
- have been cultivated for long stems and large blooms for wholesale
- have been cultivated for shorter stems with more blooms
- have been cultivated for tuber production
- are growing in fertile vs "tired" (depleted) soil
- and more!
Whether you want to grow dahlias for show, to give as gifts to your friends and neighbors, or for your own enjoyment, we'll demystify the process and send you home with the confidence to cultivate your most productive garden ever next season.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is not a tour where you follow us around while we "show off" how great our farm is. We're here for you, so come prepared to take notes and get your hands dirty!
Alongside a small group of peers (12 students max), you'll learn every part of the process for planting, caring for, and harvesting dahlias as cut flowers, including:
- Classroom overview of dahlia anatomy
- Planting overview
- Pinching
- Support
- Disbudding
- Watering
- Flowers
- Harvesting
- Conditioning
- Deadheading
- Hands on practice
WHO SHOULD JOIN THE WORKSHOP?
This workshop is designed for total beginners to intermediate home gardeners with some experience.
If you want to get the most and best possible blooms out of your own garden, or if you're considering starting a cut flower business with dahlias, you'll get lots out of this training, from exploring our working farm, and asking us plenty of questions!
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Casey Casperino, the field manager at Sunset View Farm Dahlias, will be your main instructor.
In a former life, Casey was a teacher before making a career shift to join our team here. She's been growing dahlias for years, which prepared her to become the primary caretaker of our field of 10,000 plants.
In addition to shepherding the plants through every stage of development, from planting through the tuber harvest, she's responsible for harvesting our flowers for wholesalers, florists, individuals, event planners, our flower stand, and our in house events.
Casey knows a thing or two about dahlias!
Other members of the Sunset View Farm Dahlias family and crew may drop in to assist over the course of the workshop. Look for the embroidered overalls!
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS
"Casey and the rest of the Sunset View Farm crew have SO much knowledge that I guarantee you don’t want to miss out on. Not to mention they’re so much fun to be around! Highly recommend this workshop! " Cheyenne S., 2025
"I had the most wonderful time at the Dahlia Workshop at Sunset View Farm! Casey, our instructor, was so knowledgeable and made learning about planting and caring for dahlias easy and fun. I left feeling inspired, confident, and excited to grow my own dahlias." Jennifer T.
It's a fun introduction to any person who loves nature and flowers and is looking for a business idea, or just to get out on nature with friends, get some tips for growing your dahlias, and get some fresh flowers.
Maria G
GETTING HERE
Sunset View Farm Dahlias
27 Pierce Road
Lafayette NJ 07848
Please arrive early as we will start on time. Use the gravel farm entrance (not the asphalt driveway with the mailbox); follow the road past the barn and park in the lot behind the solar panels. Meet us in the red barn!
WEATHER
This workshop will be held rain or shine. We'll reschedule for thunderstorms, but not for showers.
In the event of wet weather, wear rubber boots and rain gear. Please dress warmly in layers, as we will be in a range of indoor and outdoor temperatures throughout the workshop.
NO TOOLS NECESSARY
Bring a notebook if you like. A water bottle is recommended on hot days. We'll provide everything else you need.
NO CANCELLATIONS
All sales of workshop tickets are final. If you can't make it, send someone who takes great notes!
