April 21 Column: Plant Sales
Ooh, who loves a plant sale?! I sure do and it’s exciting to think that two awesome sales will be held next weekend, here in Spokane. You can read about them in my column below: in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/apr/20/in-the-garden-local-plant-sales-mean-spring-has-sp/.
Or you can read it below:
Column: Local plant sales mean spring has sprung
You know it’s officially spring when plant sales start cropping up around town. Two big sales are scheduled for next weekend and the purchases you make at each will benefit the community.
Garden Fair and Plant Sale
The Spokane County Master Gardeners’ annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale is on Saturday, Apr. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held in and around the Spokane County Extension building located at 222 N. Havana St.
“This is a great opportunity to find great deals on plants while utilizing Master Gardener volunteers as resources on which plants to buy, how to plant them, and any other questions they might have about their garden,” explained Garden Fair lead Tim Stiess. “At the same time, this fundraiser increases the public’s awareness of what the Master Program has to offer.”
Plants available at this event include vegetables, herbs, berries, dahlias, grasses, perennials and native plants. There will also be garden books for sale and information booths on adaptive gardening tools and raised bed gardening. Local vendors will have plants, tools and other products for sale.
Stiess added that many garden-related community organizations will have booths where visitors can get information and ask questions.
According to Ken Johnson, the vegetable booth lead, there will be both heirloom and hybrid vegetable plants. These include including tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, peas, pumpkins and melons.
“All of our veggies are grown from seed, loved, tended, and cared for by Master Gardeners,” he said. “Our experienced volunteers can help shoppers make selections and answer their plant and gardening questions.”
Those interested in growing herbs will find easy-care annual and perennial herbs.
“We’ll have basil, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, sage, oregano, mint, thyme, lavender, violas and catnip,” Connie Curtin revealed. “Our volunteers will be available to provide information about the growing conditions, culinary and decorative uses of herbs, and answer questions.”
Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane’s sale
The other plant sale taking place next weekend will be put on by the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane. It is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and next Sunday, Apr. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Manito Park.
Plant-purchasing opportunities will include a wide selection of annuals and perennials. There will also be hanging baskets, houseplants, and organic vegetables and herbs. Shoppers will even find plant cuttings from Manito’s Gaiser Conservatory as well as customized container plantings.
All proceeds from this sale will benefit local non-profit organizations in our community. Last year’s recipients included the North Hill Neighborhood Council for a nature-inspired mural by Daniel Lopez. The Sister Cities Association of Spokane was also chosen for assistance with a sculpture garden in Riverfront Park. In addition, Manito Park will receive funds to restore features of Rose Hill. And Excelsior Youth Center will receive funds to create a certified arboretum.
The Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane recently opened its 2019 funding round for community gardening-related projects within Spokane County. Those interested in applying for a grant should visit associatedgardenclubs.org. They must submit their application by May 15. Last year, the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane donated over $15,000 to grant recipients. They have donated more than $275,000 over the years.
If you go to the plant sales:
MASTER GARDENER GARDEN FAIR AND PLANT SALE
When: Saturday, Apr. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Spokane County Extension, 222 N. Havana St.
Details: mgfsc.org/garden-fair-plant-sale
ASSOCIATED GARDEN CLUBS OF SPOKANE PLANT SALE
When: Saturday, Apr. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and next Sunday, Apr. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Manito Park, east of the Gaiser Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave.
Details: associatedgardenclubs.org/events/plant-sale-2019/
Video: How to prune roses
This week’s video covers how to prune roses. Due to the fact that our spring is taking forever to get going, I had to wait a bit to film it.
I hope you all have a great week and that you get to spend plenty of time in your gardens!