Avoid over-fertilizing, since dahlias can be sensitive to this. Avoid fertilizing late in the season. 4 to 10 cm) tall. This is the point below the second set of leaves. It will cause the plant to divide and create more blooms. Wait until the stem is at least the length of your wrist to your elbow. Blooms come in groups of 3, and you can pinch off the left and right blooms to produce a larger central bloom.  Place the cut flowers in hot water. Then, let them cool over the next hour. They should last 4 to 6 days. Cut your flowers in the morning for best results.  You can spray the plants with insecticidal soap to discourage pests.

Summary: Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer once per month, once the dahlias are 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) tall. Find and pinch the terminal bud when the plant is 3 to 4 inches (7. Cut dahlia flowers at the base of the stem when they are in full bloom. Deadhead spent blooms and cut flowers regularly through the season to encourage a fuller plant with more blooms. Keep an eye out for aphids and spider mites.


Some countries have different road rules and road signs, so it's important to know what you're doing before you get on the road. Study up on the areas that you plan on traveling to, and get well-acquainted with their rules of the road before driving in that country. Don't forget that you might need to brush up on a different language depending on the country you'll be driving in as some road signs might be written instructions rather than visual signs, so know before you go. Before you leave, study the area you'll be traveling in. Get to know the surrounding attractions on each route you take to get to your destination. It'll be harder to get lost if you can remember some key points of interest that can keep you headed in the right direction. Make sure you have your map on-hand at all times when driving in another country. A GPS is a convenient way to get around, but may have poor signal in some areas. Purchase headlamp converters to ensure your headlights are adjusted for driving on the right. Make sure you buy ones that have clear instructions and are easy to remove. Follow the instructions on the package when putting the stickers on the headlights. Label a sticky note with the words “Drive on the Right” so you remember to stay on the right when you drive. Drivers get so used to driving on one side of the road that it's easy to fall into the routine of driving on that side. You wouldn't want to forget the drive on the right-hand side, as that could lead to accidents. Keep a list of reliable people or companies you can call to help you if your car breaks down. This way, you won't have to ask people you don't know who might speak a different language for help. Consider applying for insurance that will cover your car if it breaks down in the country you're in. In countries where one drives on the right-hand side of the road, the cars are built so that the driver sits on the left-hand side of the car instead of the right. Also, changing gears is done with the opposite hand. No matter what country you're in, the pedals will always be in the same position from left to right. Before you drive on a public road, practice driving on the right-hand side and parking in a designated car park so you can build up some confidence before you go on the road. You'll find that you're more prepared and more accustomed to this different way of driving when you start to drive on public roads. Without practice, it's possible to become distracted by trying to remember how to drive on the right.

Summary: Research driving laws for the country you are traveling to. Research the area on your map. Store a map in your car. Adjust your headlights. Put a reminder on your steering wheel or dashboard. Make a “breakdown” plan. Find the steering wheel and the gearstick. Practice in a car park.


The Big Dipper is comprised of seven of the sky's brightest stars, and is found either high or low in the northern sky, depending on the season. It also rotates around the North Star, which is why it's important when you're trying to find your direction in the Northern Hemisphere. As long as you're located no lower than about 39 degrees north latitude (the latitude of Washington, DC), the constellation is always above the horizon. (You can see the Big Dipper at a lower latitude if you're on the ocean.)  Four of the stars form the Big Dipper's bowl, while the other three form a handle. The phrase “spring up and fall down” can help you figure out where  to look in the sky for the Big Dipper based on the seasons. In the spring and summer, it's located high in the sky. On fall and winter nights, you'll find it lower in the sky, closer to the horizon. Regardless of the season, the two stars that form the outer edge of the Big Dipper's bowl always point toward the North Star. If you draw an imaginary line from the pointer stars across the sky to the next brightest star, you'll find the North Star. If you're having trouble finding the North Star, stretch your arm out completely and spread your fingers. The distance between the top pointer star and the North Star should be about the same distance as your thumb is from your middle finger. Unlike the stars in the Big Dipper constellation, the North Star is always located at fixed point in the sky, which leaves it never more than 1 degree from true north. That means when you've identified the North Star in the sky, you know that you're facing north. From that position, the opposite direction would be south, while east would be to your right and west would be to the left.  Using the North Star to find your direction works best on a clear night. If the sky is hazy or there are clouds, you may not be able to easily identify the Big Dipper. If you're in an area where mountains, trees, or other objects are blocking the night sky, you may not be able to use the North Star to find your direction either.
Summary: Identify the Big Dipper. Use the pointer stars to find the North Star. Locate north.