A soulful, and deeply practical manifesto for dahlia lovers who want to dig deeper.

Craig Bell’s The Dahlia Handbook: A Guide for Dahlia Lovers Who Dig Deeper is not the standard gardening book – it’s a raw and refreshing departure from glossy, photo-packed guides. Instead, Bell offers a richly written journey that blends grit, philosophy, and hands-on science in a way that speaks directly to those who truly want to understand dahlias.

Bell writes from his farm in the Pacific Northwest, drawing on years of experience as a grower, breeder, and small-scale farmer. His voice is practical yet reflective, offering a mix of hands-on advice, lived experience, and a touch of rebellious humor.

What You’ll Find Inside

The Handbook weaves memoir, history, and practical instruction into a narrative that encourages growers to embrace dahlias in all their wild, unpredictable glory. Bell challenges the conventions of blue-ribbon perfection and instead celebrates the plant’s quirks, surprises, and resilience.

• Chapters like “Off-Script” find Bell musing in a diner: the first bloom, like the first pancake in the pan, is rarely the best – but patience brings the good ones.
• In “Breeding Dahlias,” Bell demystifies genetics with humor and heart, showing how streaked petals, unexpected forms, and seed-grown surprises are part of the plant’s natural creativity.
• “Photosynthesis” reimagines a simple schoolroom lesson as a cosmic journey, tracing the path of a photon from the heart of a star to a bloom in your garden.
• “One Plant Divided” reflects on the beloved ‘Bishop of Llandaff,’ connecting a single cultivar to vast networks of clonal organisms in nature.

Practical and Philosophical

The book doesn’t shy away from real-world challenges. Bell offers clear, field-tested advice on soil preparation, overwintering, pest and disease management, and navigating the ups and downs of small-scale flower farming. At the same time, he blends in humor – whether confessing the “brutal truth” of dahlia obsession or sharing the cathartic release of “punching” mislabeled plants.

A Call for Balance

One of the strongest themes running through the book is Bell’s reverence for original species dahlias and the ecological role of simpler, open-centered blooms. These flowers feed pollinators and remind us of the plant’s Mesoamerican roots. Bell invites readers to honor the wild alongside the cultivated, and to see themselves as part of a larger cycle of care, balance, and beauty.

Who This Book is For

The Dahlia Handbook will resonate with:

• Gardeners tired of formulaic advice who want depth and authenticity.
• Small-scale flower farmers and breeders seeking insider perspectives.
• Anyone fascinated by the intersection of science, story, and soil.

The Dahlia Handbook isn’t just a guide – it’s an invitation to dig deeper and embrace the vibrant, unpredictable world of dahlias.

Available soon at bonnyblooms.com.