Column: Master Gardener Garden Fair & Plant Sale
I’m so excited to announce that plant sale season has officially arrived! If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt like it would never get here, right?
The first one here in Spokane, Wash. is the Garden Fair & Plant Sale. It’s brought to you by the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County. The sale will be held on April 28 and 29. Note that it is by appointment only. Details are in the information box underneath my column below.
This plant sale is the subject of today’s garden column:
Column:
by Susan Mulvihill
Are you ready for some great gardening news? The 2023 plant sale season officially kicks off this week. First up is the Garden Fair & Plant Sale, put on by the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County. This fun annual event will take place on Friday and Saturday.
Washington State Master Gardeners’ 50th anniversary
It will be particularly festive this year because Washington State Master Gardeners are celebrating their 50th anniversary. This invaluable program was launched by Washington State University in Pierce and King Counties in 1973. Spokane County started their program one year later.
What’s special about Garden Fair?
Tim Stiess, who is a member of the event’s leadership team, always looks forward to Garden Fair.
“It’s a form of communion with other plant and nature lovers, both Master Gardener volunteers and the community,” he said. “We are surrounded by plants, talking about plants, sharing plant ideas and, oh yeah, selling them.”
Event co-leader Kris Moberg-Hendron echoed that sentiment. “I love being part of an event that celebrates spring with plants and a sense of renewed energy that supports the Master Gardener program. Our mission of sharing research-based information with my community.
“The Garden Fair & Plant Sale is the main fundraiser for the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County,” she added. “The Foundation provides support to the Master Gardener program. That way, we have access to current technology and cutting-edge research that can be shared with Spokane County residents.”
What will you find at the sale?
Over 6,000 plants will be available for purchase. They include berries, dahlias, herbs, houseplants, native plants and ornamental grasses. There also will be perennials, pollinator plants, and vegetable seedlings.
Matt Velasco, president of the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County, provided a sneak peek. “We’ll have irises, daylilies, coneflowers, daisies, various grasses, some roses, hardy geraniums, hostas, sedums, lavender, trees and shrubs. The majority of the plants have come from Master Gardeners as well as gardeners within the community.”
Those looking for vegetable starts will find an impressive selection of cherry, slicing and paste tomatoes,. In addition, there will be hot and sweet pepper seedlings. Looking to add plants to your herb garden? You’ll find basil, chives, cilantro, dill, oregano, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram and thyme.
While you’re there, be sure to visit the Master Gardener plant clinic on the second floor of the Extension building. Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. They also have garden books and small, used garden tools for sale.
Since shopping will be by appointment only, sign up for a time slot at mgfsc.org/plant-sale. Master Gardener Foundation members’ shopping appointments will be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday. Appointments for the general public will be from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
“The continued use of scheduled appointments give people extra benefits. They’ll have opportunities for more one-on-one discussions with Master Gardener volunteers over purchases, problems and planning,” Stiess explained.
Susan Mulvihill is author of “The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook” and “The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook.” She can be reached at Susan@SusansintheGarden.com. Watch this week’s video at youtube.com/susansinthegarden.
Spokane County Master Gardeners’ Garden Fair & Plant Sale details
When: By appointment only on Friday and Saturday.
Where: 222 N. Havana St., just south of the fairgrounds.
More details: To sign up for a time slot, the general public will find the link to appointment scheduling beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow (April 24). Just go to mgfsc.org/plant-sale. Foundation members will have received an email containing the link to appointment scheduling yesterday (April 22). There is also a list of plants at the same link.