2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All monthly meetings are held at Elk Grove Village Township Office at 600 Landmeier Road. Doors open at 1:00 pm and meeting begins at 1:30 pm unless otherwise noted. 

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January 11:  New Dahlia Varieties + Online Resources

Medal winning to new dahlia introductions will be presented; an ADS video will be shown to take a look at the American Dahlia Society's medal winning top new introductions, as selected by certified dahlia judges. Also learn about online resources available on the CSDS and ADS websites.

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February 8:  Propagation Methods

A presentation on propagating tubers for the season: waking up and potting tubers, making cuttings,  and potting up plants to be ready for the plant sale and the season. 

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March 8:  Tuber Auction 

You won’t want to miss this always exciting auction of up to 50 highly prized dahlia tubers contributed by your fellow CSDS members. Led by Auctioneer Jim Kassner, it’s sure to be a raucous time.

 

April 12:  Planting and Summer Care

Planting tips: how, when and where

Manicuring dahlias: Topping, tying, lateral management, disbudding and timing for shows

Summer care tips: watering, fertilizing and pest control 

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May 2 - 3:  CSDS Annual Dahlia Plant Sale

Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe IL; Burnstein Hall

Set-up: Friday, May 1, 11 am

Sale: Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, 10 am - 4 pm 

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May dates TBA:  Online Dahlia Sale

Plants that are unsold at the end of the Chicago Botanic Garden sale and those that weren't quite ready for the sale will be offered at an online sale. Watch for details. Local pickup only.

 

June 6:  Midwest Dahlia Conference Spring Meeting and Plant Auction

Location: High Drive Pavilion, 500 Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, IN, 

9 am - 3 pm Eastern

    

June, July, and August

Growing season. NO MONTHLY MEETINGS. Garden Walks to be arranged for members only. Details in monthly newsletter and on member's only site.

 

August 9:  CSDS Members Picnic

Location: Member's home to be announced in the newsletter, noon - 3 pm. 

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August 15:  Dahlia Judging Seminar

Location: Bonneyville Mill Trial Garden, 53373 County Road 131, Bristol, IN,

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August 23: Elkhart Dahlia Show

Location: Wellfield

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August 27 - 30:  National Dahlia Show hosted by West Michigan Dahlia Society

Location:  Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

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September 5 - 6:  Southtown Dahlia Club Annual Show

Location: NEW Crestwood Civic Center, 13820 S. Cicero, Crestwood, IL

Staging Friday Sept 4, 2026, 6 pm to 10 pm and Sat Sept 5, 2026, 5 am to 10 am

Show: Saturday and Sunday, September 5 - 6, opens 10 am

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Sept 12 - 13:  Southeast Michigan Show

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September 19 - 20:  CSDS 59th Annual Dahlia Show and Sale

Location:  Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

Burnstein Hall, Burnstein Hall Workroom, Alsdorf Auditorium

Set-up: Thursday & Friday, September 17 - 18, 11 am -7 pm

Show: Saturday and Sunday, September 19 - 20, 10 am - 4 pm

Bloom Sale: Sunday 4 pm

 

​October 11:  Digging, Dividing, and Storing Dahlias for Winter

Everything you need to know about digging up your tubers and how to clean, divide and store your tubers for the winter.

 

November TBD:  Annual Awards Banquet

Location:  To be announced in newsletter

Annual awards banquet celebrating award winners from CSDS Dahlia Show.

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November 9:  Annual Holiday Party

Election of officers and CSDS’s annual holiday party.

 

December:  No Meeting

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