Are you curious about what it takes to hybridize dahlias in your own backyard? Tune in to hear how Vonda VandeHoef, PNW gardener, has become a backyard dahlia hybridizer. In this episode we are joined by Vonda VandeHoef, a passionate backyard gardener from the Pacific Northwest. Vonda shares her journey from growing up around flowers to becoming a passionate backyard dahlia hybridizer. Vonda's love for flowers is deeply rooted in her family history, having grown up with a mother who ran a flower shop. She recounts how her early experiences in the floral industry planted the seeds for her current passion. Despite facing significant personal losses, including the sudden deaths of her sister, mother, and brother-in-law, Vonda finds solace and healing in her garden. Her story is a testament to the therapeutic power of gardening. Listeners will be inspired by Vonda's detailed process of hybridizing dahlias, from saving seeds to growing out new varieties over several years. She discusses the challenges and joys of cultivating a diverse range of dahlias, including her favorite anemone types and the unique seedlings she has developed. Vonda also touches on her plans to name some of her dahlias in honor of her loved ones and her aspirations to support her family through her gardening endeavors. Tune in to hear Vonda's heartfelt journey, her expert tips on dahlia hybridization, and how she manages to grow over 1,300 dahlias in her backyard. This episode is a beautiful blend of personal stories and practical gardening advice that will leave you feeling inspired and eager to let your own backyard bloom. In This Episode You'll Hear About: 00:03:14 - Vonda's Early Passion for Flowers 00:05:45 - Transition from Interior Design to Floristry 00:07:09 - Color Theory in Floristry and Photography 00:09:29 - Vonda's Current Home and Garden 00:16:14 - Coping with Loss & Finding Healing Through Gardening 00:26:06 - Process of Hybridizing Dahlias 00:31:06 - Evaluating and Saving Dahlia Seedlings 00:32:50 - Favorite Dahlia Varieties 00:37:16 - Family Support and Business Aspirations 00:41:07 - Evolution of Vonda's Garden 00:43:39 - Sharing Flowers with the Community 00:44:47 - Plans to Release Hybridized Dahlias Show Notes: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.com/2024/10/16/ep-39-vonda-vandehoef-backyard-dahlia-hybridizer/ Learn More About Vonda VandeHoef: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vondavhoef/ Podcast Listens Can Enjoy One-Month Free Subscription To The Dahlia Patch! Join Here: https://bit.ly/backyardbouquet  [https://bit.ly/backyardbouquet] Sign up for our newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3https://bit.ly/thefloweringfarmhousenewsletter ***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet*** If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode. New episodes every week to help keep your garden blooming!