The Accidental Dahlia Diva

25/04/2026

A few months ago, I started in one corner of the garden and slowly worked my way around, tagging all my dahlias.

Armed with my trusty flagging tape (which evolved from yellow… to pink… to white… and somehow back to yellow ag*in 😂) and a vivid marker, I started at “1” and just kept going.

Seedlings got basic names, unless they were a bit special (or I felt inspired… or could be bothered), then they got something a little more descriptive. The named varieties kept their proper names, of course.

As I went, I made sure to take a photo of each bloom with its number/name. That way, when I uploaded everything to the computer, it was super easy to match them all up without guessing.

From there, I created a simple spreadsheet in numerical order. The idea was practical, if I dig up a tuber, I just write the number on it. Then come spring, when I’m potting up or chucking them straight back in the ground, I can quickly refer back to the list and know exactly what’s what.

THEN.... I wanted something a bit more visually tantalizing...

I reorganized everything into a colour spectrum, starting from whites and working through, so now I can open the spreadsheet and actually see my dahlias.

It's all printed out and in a clear-file so I can snuggle with it on those dull winter days when there's barely any colour in my garden!

It sparks a full-blown JOY explosion EVERY time I open it 😂🥳

01/04/2026

Did you know I tag and release monarch butterflies?

Well... I DO.

I’ve become a little obsessed with them 🥰🦋

01/04/2026

This is an awesome, practical, and easy to follow post about how we can get prepped in our own backyard to be a bit more self sufficient.

Even if you don't like eating a certain fruit or veggie, but it grows well in your garden, GROW IT. You can always trade it for something you do like!

I am about to head into to be on their afternoon radio show, The Panel.

They have a segment on the show called "I've been thinking", where you raise an issue or an idea that's been top of mind for you.

And I have been thinking about comments made by the Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman yesterday that it could take up to nine months for food prices to reflect the events happening in the Middle East now as the higher fertiliser prices our commercial growers will need to pay in spring get passed through to the fresh food you buy at the supermarket.

So I have been thinking what you could do now in the garden that might make a difference to your food bills then. Maybe a small difference... I am in no way saying this is the whole solution. But I think growing a bit yourself can help save money, as I know that it helps me.

🥬So I'd suggest sowing and planting brassicas classed as Asian Greens. Bok choy, pak choy, tatsoi, g*i lan, wong bok … all are cold tolerant and quick and easy to grow. All are pretty good in pots too.

🌱I’d also recommend sowing peas, broad beans, coriander, rocket, corn salad and miner’s lettuce. The last four are fine in pots.

🥦Plant brassica seedlings (if you have room, they do take up space) and plant or sow spinach, perpetual spinach, silverbeet, kale, spring onions and cold-hardy lettuce varieties (red- leafed varieties are usually good winter lettuce).

🍅 If you are eating a good heirloom tomato, zucchini, cucumber, capsicum, chilli, bean or pumpkin now, even if it's from the supermarket, save a few seeds to sow in August for plants to grow next season. Let leafy greens in your garden set seed and self seed too for free seedlings.

💡What other suggestions would you add? What could gardeners in New Zealand do now that would help with the food bills if costs keep climbing? Jo

11/02/2026

I've been (not) patiently waiting for the self seeded seedlings on the 'Poo Field' to burst into life so I can swoon over them!

This one did NOT disappoint!

I AM IN LOVE!

I'm excited to see how she evolves over the season.

It's pretty clear to see who the parent dahlia was, one I call 'Gillian's Orange' because a wonderful woman called Gillian gave me a tuber after I left my old job. 'Gillian's Orange' is stunning and one of my favorite colous, but unfortunately the flower head always drops down, so it's not ideal for displays or bouquets. However, this seedling seems to have a much stronger neck. Yaaay!!

31/12/2025

My wee slice of paradise is looking FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26/12/2025

2nd year CAL seedling... I'm just a bit in love 😍🤩

16/12/2025

I love this part!!! All the hard work is done, now its just maintenance really... and waiting for things to BLOOM!!!!

21/11/2025

Season 5... LET'S GOOOO!!!

I've been (not very) patiently waiting for this bad boy to bloom!

'Arabian Night'.

11/11/2025

***SOLD OUT***

CALENDARS! (The OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL POST)

I have created an AMAZING calendar where all the profits raised will go towards Shocking Pink! If you would like to buy one, two, or five… here’s what to do:

Message me with your address and how many you would like:

First one: $35. Each calendar thereafter in the same order is $30. (Postage is included)

Deposit the money into this account:
38-9007-0098347-18 REBECCA VAN DIJK

If you live in Ōamaru let me know if you would like to pick it up from Mum aka Ann Eugenia Dooley and I'll send her yours (thanks in advance Mum!!) 😆

It’s ok if you don’t transfer the money right away, I will make sure you’ve paid prior to sending them out because ordering and then forgetting to pay is something I would absolutely do.

Calendars have been ordered and are expected to arrive late November. I will then procrastinate and eventually send them EARLY December.

You will get them before Christmas so that you can give them away as Christmas presents because they would be a PHENOMENAL present. If you would like some flower seeds to scatter in your garden, I’ll add a wee packet of them too.

Thank you so very much to those who do buy one, and those who don’t…

I’ll remember that… 😎😂🌻