I grew Dahlias for years.. and got discouraged with the slugs and earwigs eating them all.
I used to bring in my tubers..in the fall and start over..
Again..always to disappointment.
This year..I bought a bag at Costco..started them in flats..and then transplanted into a very sunny garden in the front..I am pleased to say that although there is still some earwig damage and I have spied them..but because these are in full sun most of the day..the damage seems less..and I am back to being hooked on these dinner plate darlings.I could be mistaken though..
Just a little glutton for dahlias.
They are stunners and make excellent cut flowers.
Love them..there I said it again:)
Gardening for me..is spiritual and therapeutic.
Yes I get sore..and some chores I loathe.
But watching things grow..taking care of them..and taking photos of the divas..is addictive.
Medicine for the soul and body that you cannot buy.
If you even have just a small spot..again I encourage to try taking care of plants♥
I made cookies again with the mooncake plunger type..(Starbucks..etc..) but celebrated the season by using the disks that reminded me of dahlias..
The recipe keeps the patterns sharp and clear..
and the cookie is delicious.
I have shared the recipe before with a link to the Italian blog..
But I am going to tell you what I do.
I halve the recipe..
I use ..
80 grams of totally summer softened salted butter
I beat in 60 grams of light brown sugar
I start with ap 100-110 grams of all purp unbleached flour..beat it in..
I add 50 grams of almond flour
and the zest of one small lemon for one half batch.
If I find the consistency too moist..then I add a BIT more flour.
I wrap in Saran..flat..
and ref.. for about 1 hr.
I roll it out w/ a bit of flour dusting..and with a lightly floured plunger type mooncake press.. I make the cookies..or you can use stamps..
I put on a parchment covered cookie sheet and freeze..just for a bit.
I place them in a 350 degree oven..for 15- 20 mins.
And that's it.I don't believe a pretty cookie has to be tasteless.I believe they should be buttery flavorful..delicious..They can be pretty and GOOD.
They are flaky..tasty.. and they keep their form superbly.♥
I am calling these Dahlia Cookies..:)
Have a lovely weekend~
The photos from your garden are always stunning. I can see why you would enjoy working in your garden and love your thought of it being medicine for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a nice time away after all the hard work you have been doing:)
DeleteMy daughter-in-law chose dahlias as her wedding flowers--deep purple and magenta. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Must have been gorgeous Bonnie:)
Deletethose cookies....
ReplyDeleteway to pretty and precious looking, to eat....
:-)
tessa~
:)
DeleteThose dahlias are beautiful! Of course, there would be delicious cookies involved.:-)
ReplyDeleteThey would look great in your gardens!
DeleteI love dahlias so much too, what a pretty purple shade you have, they come in so many colors, but yes the earwig damage is really bad, i've never had success, but i just love seeing them at the garden center. How fun that you created a dahlia cookie, they look delicious.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend in your garden, it really is one of the most enjoyable and therapeutic activities.
Jenni
You too:)
DeleteYou know I love dahlias too! Yours are so beautiful and I am envious of your early blooms. I may have to try the flat method next year :) Mine are far from since it was such a wet, cool spring. This year, the critter problem is not just earwigs but slugs! I've put down some slug control and it has helped a little. Some tubers were even being eaten underground! After I put down the slug control they appeared through the soil.
ReplyDeletePrecious little flower cookies and they look so delicious!!
I do know:)
DeleteI remember dhlianut too:)
Next year i will remind you and we can start together.
I think I got the flat idea here
http://www.dahlias.net/dahwebpg/Propagation/Cuttings.htm
Takes way less earth..no pots ..easy peasy..I planted in the earth when I had ap 3 inches of growth..Won't start them any other way now:)
How gorgeous Monique. I remember reading an article about a woman working in her garden. She said it was a mess and she was going to repair it. She said it ended up healing her. I never forgot that article. As always, your cookies and photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMadonna
MakeMineLemon
:)
DeleteI have seen programs too.. the amazing healing powers of gardens..even rooftop..for cancer patients etc..
It really is ..even if it's for thoughts..the mind..anything..:)
Dahlia's are incredible and I don't know why I haven't grown them for years. What app were you using on the last two pictures. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna..no app..
DeleteIt is Photoshop..watercolor..
I mistakenly thought I had almost enough reward points to get an Ipad with my bank..just for the Waterlogue app everyone has on their Ipads..
It was almost enough for an IPOD..LOL..
So I think it will be a Breville All In One:)
Yes do grow them..I think with your land and sun they would be perennials and slug and earwig free!
Que preciosidad de galletas, y como siempre unas fotos fantásticas.
ReplyDeleteBesos
lagalletarota.blogspot.com
Gracias Rosa:)
DeleteI attempted to grow Dahlia's here, they did not do well.. Yours are just gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletePerhaps one more try?
DeleteMonique, dahlias are one of my favorites, but I've never had success growing them. Your gorgeous blooms inspire me to try again. Why not?
ReplyDeleteLove the quote!
They would look regal in your gardens♥
DeleteDarling dahlias & cool cookies...That last image, is it yours & is it a photo, not a painting?
ReplyDeleteHi Rita..it is a photo of my dahlias and potting shed..I Photoshopped it..with a watercolor filter..
DeleteI wish I had painted it:-)
I'm glad you are having luck with your dahlias Monique. I hope I see mine before the frost, I planted late. You know I love the cookies. I have to try that one and practice so I can do the Starbucks design. My daughter loves their coffee, like yours. They will be made as a bday present. It was a beautiful day here, looks like you had a perfect one too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou too..oh yes yesterday was glorious..today cool with many clouds..
DeleteReally cannot complain about this summer ..But you know we Quebecers..we get a few perfect days in a row and we think we are having the best summer ever!:)
Really beautiful Dahlias Monique omy
ReplyDeleteI love the color .I have somes roses with this color.I love it!
xo
If I had to pick colors for you Gloria..these would be them:)
DeleteThis is my first visit to your blog. The dahlias are beautiful and your pictures are stunning! The recipes and food pictures look very appetizing. I am looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful blog via the emails that I have signed up for.... Candy
ReplyDeleteYour dahlias are stunning, Monique. Such intense color. I have enjoyed your cookie recipe many times and always appreciate how well it works with intricate cookie stamps.
ReplyDeleteStunning pictures and the cookies look so yum!
ReplyDeleteOh I love dahlias too, this year there is a varmint pulling them from the roots into the ground, I am just about ready to give up on the idea except maybe raised beds. Lovely cookie recipe.
ReplyDeleteYes I guess raised beds with your predicament..like veggie gardens here..would be perfect!
DeleteMore work but perfect!
Monique, even though I was only off line for a couple of days, I MISSED YOU! Love all about this post. Your Dahlias are absolutely gorgeous. We need to plant more of those. They are the plant which just keeps giving! And your cookies are just beautiful! I could enjoying biting into one of those right now! Love you! xxoo
ReplyDeleteI was just going to write you..I didn't see a post yesterday and got concerned..saw this morning!:):)
DeleteThey may be perennials in England?
Gorgeous flowers Monique but those cookies really have me drooling, they are so pretty and sound so... good! What a wonderful combination!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour dahlias are beautiful. I have grown some this year-their colours are lovely. Thank you for your kind words. Jeanie did say it well.
ReplyDeleteI love dahlias! They are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteFabulous cookies! I bet they'd taste wonderful with a good cuppa.
Cheers,
Rosa
Bonjour !
ReplyDeleteEn tout temps votre jardin semble parfait, se doit être un réel plaisir d'y flâner et de s'y poser.
Bonne journée ~
Monique,
ReplyDeleteI share your love of dahlia and gardening! I save them from year-to-year and collect them. I take a million pictures of them, too. And I agree with you: Gardening is therapeutic and spiritual.
I, too, have had trouble with slugs and earwigs, so I spray them when I first see any signs of them with something that claims to be organic. It works, because then I don't have to deal with the pests again for the rest of the summer.
Hi Donna..Thanks for the tip..Will look for organic..Thank you!
DeleteCouldn't find a link to your blog?
Stunning images...all of them! I will try dahlias next year. The deer eat them...but perhaps i can try in pots on the deck.
ReplyDeleteEverything you touch is magical! I love the waterlogue app...you told me about it. Such fun!
Bisous xo
Your Dahlias are beautiful!! I never knew they were difficult to grow without the pests. Would coffe grounds help?
ReplyDeleteMonique, I'm in love with Dahlias too! I also bought some from Costco and they were and still are blooming, Next year I will definitely be planting more. It's so rewarding seeing them grow into beautiful bloomers. Love your gorgeous purple ones!! The Dahlia cookies look divine!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Jody