NMDS July 13, 2025 Meeting
Hosted by: Miriam Anderson, at her Garden
June 22, 2025
Sue Isley and Julie Moss
Bumble bees are important pollinators of wildflowers and crops.
Intro
Miriam Anderson
July’s meeting took place on July 13, 2025 at the gardens of Miriam Anderson in Corrales, NM. Twenty-six members and guest attended. Minutes from June’s meeting had been distributed via email; no notification of corrections were received.
This NMDS meeting was hosted by Miriam Anderson at her garden, and what a garden it is. After the official meeting a grand social and garden tour closed out the meeting.
Treasurer
Outgoing Treasurer Howard McCall reported that there is currently $5,024.02 in the bank account. Howard has requested that he be relieved of his duties as Treasurer of the NM Dahlia Society due to health issues. His request was voted on and accepted by those members who were present. A motion was made that JoAnn Miller serve as interim Treasurer until the next election. Members voted to approve the nomination of Ms Miller, and allow her to have access to the NM Dahlia Society bank account at Enterprise Bank, on behalf of the NM Dahlia Society.
Hummingbirds are important pollinators visiting thousands of flowers each day.
Garden Council News
– State Fair Update: Sue Bond reported that she spoke via phone with the NM State Fair Commissioner this past Friday. She was informed that Commissioner Serena spoke with Dan ____, and told him to “make the State Fair Flower Show happen!” The deadline for a final decision is coming soon.
– “Christmas in July” Flower Show is scheduled or July 18-19, 2025. Dahlias will be entered in Division 1 Horticulture, Section C: Bi-Annuals, Hardy Annuals, and Tender Perennials. The show chairman has been notified that dahlias will be blooming and will be entered into the show.
– Garden Center dahlia beds need more water! The system automatically waters on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4:00am for 30 minutes. Edith had visited the plot earlier today and announced that the ground felt dry. The use of mulch was discussed, and several members suggested removing the straw and replacing it with a different kind of mulch. Edith reported that she has a plant in a “grow bag” that she will take to the Garden Center on Friday, and plant it prior to the “Christmas in July” Flower Show.
Agri-Nature Center
Sue and John Bond
Master Gardener Bill Shen reported that there are now dahlias blooming in many areas, and of the approximately 170 tubers that were planted, only a few of those planted did not survive.
There are 4 projects at the Agri-Nature Center, The dahlia bed by the fence, the raised dahlia beds, the Community Garden and the Lavender Field dahlias.
Past Reports:
Planting of the Old Lavender Field
Planting The Community Garden
NMDS Website
Aaron Greenwood reported that the website is up, and numerous articles have been posted. He encouraged members to consider writing articles for the website. Aaron then presented the group with the new business card for the NMDS, with a QR code that will take you directly to the website. Members were encouraged to take some of the cards and distribute them to individuals who might be interested in dahlias. Aaron also provided members with his personal business card, containing his contact information: 505-702-5152; aaron@abqnorthwest.com.
Aaron Greenwood, John Wilson and Joe Gorvetzian
NMDS Dahlia Festival 2025
NMDS Treasurer Emeritus Howard McCall and Master Gardener Bill Shen
This year’s annual dahlia show is scheduled for September 28, 2025, at the Albuquerque Garden Center. Edith announced that set up for the show will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, September 27th. She reported that a volunteer was still needed to be in charge of distributing the display vases, filling them with water, and ensuring that the supply of vases is sufficient. At the conclusion of the show, this same individual would be responsible for returning the vases to their storage place. Carla Chirigos volunteered to fulfill this responsibility.
Further information will be made available soon in a pdf file sent via email.
Early September Get-together
This somewhat impromptu and informal gathering will take place on Saturday morning, September 13th at the Agri-Nature Center dahlia gardens. Two important topics will be presented and discussed:
1) Photography – Photographer Gil Quintana and other photographers will be present to provide
suggestions and instructions about how to photograph dahlias. The hope is to feature lots of
photographs at the dahlia festival this year!
2) Dahlia flowers for show – this will be an opportunity to practice cutting and preparing dahlia
blooms for the show. We will also practice filling out exhibit tags.
Miscellaneous
NMDS President Edith Iwan
Old Business
All tubers originally collected for the tuber sale have now been sold and/or distributed.
Other Business
Megan Padget announced that the Sandoval County Fair will take place at the fair grounds in Cuba, NM in two weeks time. Further information can be obtained from Megan by contacting her at: rancidgrl@gmail.com.
Garden Tour
After the business of the meeting was completed, Miriam invited members to enjoy some refreshments and to tour her lovely gardens. Although most of her many dahlia plants were not yet blooming, many other floral varieties were in full bloom, including colorful zinnias and snapdragons. She also had many cut flowers in centerpieces on the tables, which were also lovely. Miriam had many small seedlings and plants that she generously offered to members at absolutely no cost . . . a most kind and much appreciated offer that many members took advantage of. Thank you, Miriam!
One of Mariam Anderson’s Elegant Floral Centerpieces.
NEST MEETING: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Albuquerque Garden Center, Grace’s Room.
Photo Credits:
Sue Isley
NMDS official minutes recorded and released by NMDS Secretary Julie Moss. A web article was created using the minutes by Sue Isley.