Dig & Divide Workshop
 
1 ticket includes:
2 hours of hands-on expert training in processing dahlias
3 divided dahlia clumps of your choosing to take home (15 to 45 tubers, $150-$450 value)
Additional clumps available at only $20 ea
Additional tubers available at only $5 ea
 
Saturday November 1st 2025
1:30-3:30 & 4:30-6:30
 
On-site at Sunset View Farm Dahlias
27 Pierce Road, Lafayette Twp, NJ 07848
 
You’ve picked your pumpkins – now come dig your dahlias! This November, learn how to lift, wash, and expertly divide dahlia tubers from professional dahlia farmers.
 
You’ll select your own plants in our field of thousands of dahlias, lift and wash them yourself, and divide them under our expert instruction. You’ll leave with dozens of tubers and the confidence to harvest your own dahlias with ease.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DAHLIA CLUMPS
We’ll teach you the most common mistakes new gardeners make that damage, injure, or totally ruin their dahlias while lifting and washing their tubers, before the clumps even get to the dividing table.
 
Then we’ll show you the best tools to use for precision dividing; techniques you can use to make it easier to spot the eyes in the fall and in the spring; and how to avoid spreading common diseases at harvest.
 
Most importantly, you’ll get to practice your hands on skills on real dahlias. You’ll practice on lots of OUR clumps first, then once you’re an expert, we’ll supervise while you divide your own.
 
This class is strategically timed so that you can learn with us, make your mistakes on our plants, then go home to harvest and store the fruit of your own gardens with confidence.

TAKE HOME DOZENS OF TUBERS ($150-$450 VALUE)
You’ll get to choose 3 plants to dig up yourself from a selection of 80 different varieties in our field, which you’ll then divide here with us.

Dahlias grow tubers underground in clumps, which gardeners then divide into individual tubers that are planted the following spring.

The average clump yields 5 healthy tubers once divided, but many have lots more than that (the most we’ve ever gotten is 21!) – so you’ll likely leave with dozens of tubers that will turn into lots of flowers in your garden next year.

ADDITIONAL CLUMPS & TUBERS AVAILABLE
3 healthy clumps (with at least 5 tubers each) are included in your ticket price, but you’ll have the opportunity to dig up more plants to take home if you like at $20 each.

Dahlia tubers retail for an average of $13 each – so your garden budget will go MUCH farther by digging and dividing your own.
 
You’ll also have the option to buy some of the tubers we’ve worked on together in class for $5 each. Don’t worry - we’ll check everything you take home to make sure each tuber was divided well and is perfectly viable!
 
CONSIDER ATTENDING OUR STORAGE WORKSHOP
Successful winter storage is outside the scope of this class – so if you’re totally new to dahlias, we highly recommend you attend our online storage workshop (available at a discount for attendees of our physical workshops) so you can have the most possible success with your winter storage.

This class is scheduled for release by October 15th. Stay tuned!

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 to teach you, so come prepared to get your hands dirty!
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WHO SHOULD JOIN THE WORKSHOP?
This is a thorough training on dividing suitable for total beginners to intermediate home gardeners with some experience who want to get more practice under an expert’s instruction.
 
It’s also a great deal on oodles of dahlia tubers – so if you’re already pretty good at dividing and you just want to come and dig lots of clumps, this is a great opportunity!
 
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
 
Dan Grinthal
Dan is one of the owners of Sunset View Farm Dahlias. He grew up with dahlias and has been a professional dahlia farmer for 5 years. Dan runs our education department; he teaches several of our workshops and trains our Work Trade crews every year.
 
Casey Casperino
Casey was a teacher before making a career shift to join our team here as our field manager. In the meantime, she’d been growing dahlias for years, which prepared her to become the primary caretaker of our field of 10,000 plants. She’s also hands-down the best divider we’ve ever met!
 
Either Dan, Casey, or both will be your main instructor(s), but other members of the Sunset View Farm family may drop in to assist. Look for the embroidered overalls!

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. In the event of wet weather, we'll spend minimal time standing directly in the rain, but rubber boots and rain gear are recommended. Please dress warmly in layers, as we will be in a range of indoor and outdoor temperatures throughout the workshop. If you have dexterity issues in your hands, you might also consider soft fingered gloves for warmth.
 
NO TOOLS NECESSARY
If you need eyeglasses for close work, don't forget them! We'll provide all other tools you need for the workshop.
 
If you have a favorite pair of snips you'd prefer to bring for the dividing portion, feel free, but make sure they're clearly labeled with your name!
 
NO CANCELLATIONS
All sales of workshop tickets are final. If you can't make it, send someone who takes great notes!