NMDS May 26, 2025 Meeting, Thoreau, NM

 E D I T H   I W A N

Meeting called to order by Edith Iwan, President. Attended by 18 members & guests. Secretary’s report: April minutes were sent to members by E-Mail. Julie Moss not present. Minutes taken by Sue Bond.

Treasurer’s report:

Howard McCall. Check received from ADS ½ of proceeds from Tuber Auction at Spring Planning Meeting in March 2025 for $750. April Tuber sale at the Garden Center brought in $1,900. Total in account $3000.

News from the Albuquerque Garden Council:

Parade of Gardens is June 8. Volunteers are needed and tickets are on sale at the Garden Center. Board meeting for the Garden Council in June 12 at 11:00 am. The Council meets three times a year and we have 3 representatives on the council: Edith Iwan, Julie Moss, and Joyce McAdams to represent us. NM State Fair has not responded to the Garden Clubs and Councils request to show at the state fair. Our option is to have the Horticulture/Flower Show at the Garden Club. No decision has been made yet.

Tuber Sale Report:

We were in the courtyard at the entrance to the Garden Center and to the left. The number of tubers sold was lower than last year. Howard recommended that the tables be set up closer to the entrance. Suggestions on displaying tubers were suggested. Edith Iwan has been taking the tubers to farmer’s markets and selling them.

 Web Site Report by Aaron Greenwood:

The start-up process is coming along nicely. Members are encouraged to contribute to the website by writing articles on dahlias. The first one is by JoAnn Miller and is posted. We are in the 2nd phase of start up and we will start the 3rd phase by Fall. Change of articles and pictures will be weekly or monthly depending on the time of year.

Dahlia Garden at the Garden Center Report by Edith Iwan:

Twelve dahlias were planted on May 3 by David Wimsatt, Dina Bello, & me. David looked at them May 14 and they weren’t up but the soil was dry so he watered. Dina & I checked them May 17. Most of dahlias were up but two had no signs of growing so they were replaced. I contacted the Grounds Supervisor, Dorothy, to turn the irrigation system on. David will check that all the dahlias are receiving water and adjust the drip line as needed.

Dahlia Garden at the Agri-Nature Center:

Bill Shen was not present at the meeting but members who were present (David, Dina, Sue I., & Aaron) report that the planting went smoothly and pictures are posted on the website. Bill will send out notices when help is needed. Edith will encourage him to send it to all members.

NMDS Festival September 28 planning meeting:

Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to come. The meeting will be the first week in June and an announcement will go out to all members. We will add junior and novice categories to the class open to everyone. We will add micro-dahlias, and a special award for best Eldon Wilson dahlia. No ADS Certified Dahlia judges have committed to judge our show.

The meeting was adjourned and Edith showed how she starts her dahlias in the colder climate at 7,000 ft. She showed how to collect soil samples to send out for analysis and stressed its importance.

Next meeting is at Sue Isley and Aaron Greenwood’s garden on June 22 at 2:00 pm. They live on the west side of Albuquerque near the volcanoes: 9327 Battle Creek Trail, NW. See you there!

Photo Credits:

Sue Isley all images unless noted.
Aaron Greenwood, last image row.