Sycamore, read all you can at the various websites. In a nutshell: Aim for full sun at least 6 hours a day. The more, the merrier. South or West exposure beds usually do great. Aim for loamy soil amended with some good organic matter that will still allow good drainage. You don't want to drown the tubers- they will rot. I try to pick out most rocks from the planting holes because I hate picking them out of the tuber clump later! Mulch over the roots to hold in moisture once they're up and growing. Here, I water twice a week in the heat of summer. Probably only weekly until it really gets dry/warm. This year's lack of rainfall might alter that a bit. I use Osmocote for an annual fertilizer once they're up and growing. I tried Mor Bloom last year at intervals, but can't really say if it helped produce more flowers because most of mine were brand new, so there's no comparison to be had. Protect your early sprouts from slugs- evil, vile slimers of the NW! They will denude a little stalk overnight. I've found them as high up as 3 ft on my dahlias. They did not live to boast about their climbing prowess either. One way I protect from slugs and cool nights in the early season is to cut off the bottom of a gallon milk jug, place them over emerging dahlia shoots and kind of mound up the soil so the little slimy gang can't get access to your plant at night. It makes a little green house for each plant overnight. I remove them all in the morning so they don't cook in the sun inside the jug. Yes, it is alot of work but it's good exercise for your waist. I finally figured out to KEEP the cut off milk jugs instead of cutting new ones every year. They stack up for easy storage in a garage corner or even outside. You said, "I'm finally back to a climate where I don't have to dig them up each fall, so I thought I'd give dahlias a try!"... I would plan on digging them up every couple years at least- they would likely survive if you left them in and covered them to prevent too much soaking during the winter, but the plants will be healthier if you dig and divide. The longer they stay in the ground, the gnarlier the tuber clump gets and more difficult to deal with division. That's my two cents. Poochella

Pam - Wow!! It sounds like you have really been busy! Congratulations on not smoking and reaching your weight loss goal!! You should be very proud of yourself! Wanda - Nice to hear from you again! When will hubby be up and about again? I bet he just can't wait! I just started this week back into a regular exercise program. Prior to this I had lost 5 lbs but it kept finding me again...LOL So I started a program with a little more structure and I'm planning my meals in advance - which makes the world of difference for my success. Will check in again later in the week! Hope everyone is doing well! :)

This is timely. I was out driving around yesterday and saw some woman spreading fertilizer on her lawn. Her muffin top was hanging out all around and jiggled as she walked along. Quite a sight to see.

It is of my humble opinion that if you have the acreage and it is safe to run your dog without a leash on, especially 1:knowing your dog will come back, 2: you are safely away from any street 3: you need to make your dog stick to the carpet when you get home or 4: you need your dogs energy level to be like yours during training. I am hugely fortunate in that my dog has seperation anxiety, which I helped create when he was a pup by going for walkies in the woods and hiding from him, as a result I can walk with my dog anywhere without a leash, he will be no more than 30 feet from me before turning around to locate me. I want my dog to be able to enjoy being off leash and run with other dogs at the dog park or in open space and I live where I have miles and miles acres and acres of open space where dogs are allowed to run free under voice control. From what you have written I think your dog needs both and you have the unique situation which many dont and that is you can safely run your dog off leash near where you live. YES there is always the danger of your dog taking off to chase deer or squirrel, you can do the hiding thing (best with two people,one to jack the dog up by saying wheres mommy? and of course mommy who is hiding.) I think it is up to you to use your best judgement in your case. Run you dog stupid, then snap the leash on and go to training classes. when training is over do the same, run your dog then spend a half an hour reminding your dog on leash. Training should go on all day, everyday when ever you have the opportunity. Natural Balance makes meat sticks which are great training treats when cut into cubes, use whatever you have to tip the tide to your advantage.