For more than a decade, Temala Baker has cultivated flowers with skill and passion. Within the last several years, her focus narrowed to dahlias which ignited a fervor that transformed into a modest micro flower farm on three acres along the Snake River in eastern Idaho.

Temala grew up in Texas, but moved to Tennessee when she was a teenager, where she met Mark. Mark was born and raised in East Tennessee but was wooed 2000 miles away, when Temala moved to Idaho for college. In Idaho, Mark and Temala have established roots, choosing to raise their four kids in the wonderful, rural community of Firth, Idaho.

At Heron's Nest Dahlias, our name carries a story that's as captivating as the blooms we cultivate. Our farm is privileged to share its home with a remarkable phenomenon—a heron rookery. Each spring, Great Blue Herons migrate to eastern Idaho, returning to hatch and nurture their chicks. As autumn arrives, these once-tiny chicks have grown into majestic birds, and our fields become a nightly spectacle as dozens of herons take flight, soaring gracefully above our dahlia beds. It's this enchanting dance of nature that inspired our name, Heron's Nest Dahlias.

Rooted in our passion for cultivating stunning dahlias, our farm is not just a place of growth and beauty but also a nurturing ground for life's most valuable lessons. As parents, we believe in imparting the values of hard work, dedication, and the appreciation of nature's wonders to our children.

Our kids learn the value of hard work as they help tend to our dahlia plants. Their small hands play a big role in the cultivation and creation of the magnificent flowers that grace our fields.

In the process, our children gain a profound appreciation for the beauty of nature and the artistry of dahlia cultivation. They witness firsthand the miraculous journey from seed to vibrant blossom, fostering a deep connection with the cycle of life and growth. Our hope is that these experiences will instill in them a lifelong love for the extraordinary and a respect for the delicate balance of the natural world.

Our planting practices for dahlia tubers are rooted in meticulous care and attention to detail, with every step performed by hand to ensure the highest quality of growth and bloom. The process begins in late winter/early spring when we carefully wake up our dahlia tubers from their winter dormancy. This process involves gradually introducing the tubers to warmer conditions in a controlled environment. We inspect each tuber for signs of health and vitality, selecting only the best for planting.

Before planting, we prepare our soil meticulously, ensuring it is well-draining and rich in nutrients. This preparation is crucial for the healthy growth of dahlias, as they thrive in soil that provides the right balance of moisture and aeration.

Planting dahlia tubers is an art we perform with utmost precision. Each tuber is planted by hand, allowing us to place them at the perfect depth and orientation. This careful handling ensures that the tubers have the ideal conditions for sprouting and developing a robust root system.

Our fields are methodically zoned by row and space. This zoning is not only vital for maintaining the health of our plants but also for ensuring the accuracy of varieties. Our hand-planting process is accompanied by meticulous record-keeping. We document each tuber's location in our zoning system. This detailed tracking is crucial for maintaining the accuracy of our dahlia varieties and ensuring that what is planted is true to type.

To introduce new cultivars into our collection, we utilize a special isolation field. This field allows us to observe and nurture new varieties separately, assessing their growth, bloom quality, and health before introducing them to our main fields. This practice helps us maintain the integrity and quality of our dahlias.

Throughout the growing season, we continuously monitor our dahlias, providing them with the care and attention they need to flourish. Our hands-on approach ensures that each plant receives individualized care, from watering to stalk support, to maximize their health and beauty.

Each dahlia cutting starts its journey with careful nurturing. We select our cuttings with precision, whether nodal or internodal, ensuring they are neither too small nor hollow. A slanting cut maximizes the vascular exposure, followed by a dip in rooting hormone to accelerate growth. Our choice of a rooting medium balances moisture and air, fostering optimal root development. Adhering to the "warm bottom, cool top" rule, our simple yet effective propagation process ensures a controlled environment for the cuttings. Within 14 to 21 days, these cuttings are ready to join our greenhouse.

For pest control, we spray every 15 days using Captain Jack's Organic Pest Control. Fortunately, we don't face as severe a bug problem in Idaho as in other parts of the country. 

To control viruses, we sanitize between cuts on each plant using a 10% bleach solution. If a plant displays signs of a virus, we cull it. As growers/sellers, we take our responsibility to produce healthy plants seriously.

To introduce new cultivars into our collection, we utilize a special isolation field. Additionally, we keep meticulous records of tuber varieties and their producers. This information helps us identify if there are viral problems from specific producers.

During harvest, we clean our loppers, shovels, and forks with a 10% bleach solution and antibacterial soap. Although we've never encountered gall, we don't take chances, not only for our customers sake but the future of our farm depends on it. We can't risk a bacterial infection affecting our crop.

We understand the importance of preventing the spread of viruses to maintain the health and quality of our dahlias. By choosing hand harvesting over mechanical methods, we not only ensure the highest quality of our flowers and tubers but also actively work to protect our crops from the detrimental impact of viral diseases. This approach is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainable, responsible farming practices that prioritize the well-being of our plants and the satisfaction of our customers.

At Heron's Nest Dahlias, we are more than a flower farm; we are a family united by our love for these exquisite blooms and our shared commitment to nurturing the next generation with values that will guide them in appreciating the beauty in all things.

Dahlias, with their distinctive genetic makeup, serve as a canvas for hybridization, resulting in a stunning variety of colors, forms, and sizes. Our flower farm proudly offers a captivating spectrum of carefully curated dahlia cultivars. From contemporary to classic, our collection captures the essence of these remarkable blooms. Whether you're in search of distinctive cut flowers or robust, viable tubers, Heron's Nest Dahlias is dedicated to delivering excellence.

Explore our captivating range of gorgeous varieties, available for shipping across the USA!