May 1 Column: Plant Sales
Ooh, we gardeners do love our plant sales, don’t we? Well, here in Spokane, we’ve got two excellent plant sales to look forward to next weekend. The Spokane County Master Gardeners will be putting on the Garden Fair & Plant Sale from May 6-8. The Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane will hold theirs the same dates.
That’s the topic of this week’s garden column. You can read it in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Local plant sales raise money for education programs, community projects. Or you can read the text of my column underneath the video below.
Each of these plant sales helps fund all of the good work these organizations do within our community. I do encourage you to patronize them. The Garden Fair & Plant Sale is by appointment only. Go to this link to schedule yours. If you aren’t a member of the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County, I would encourage you to join because you get in early to the sale (Friday May 6 is for members only). It costs just $25 and you will also get a discount on your purchases as well as discounts at participating garden centers and other businesses.
The Associated Garden Clubs’ plant sale does not require an appointment. You’ll find all the details, including hours, for both in my column.
I also want to mention that I’ll be at the Garden Fair on Saturday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. I’ll be selling and signing my book, The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook. Be sure to stop by and say hello! Garden Fair takes place at Spokane County Extension, 22 N. Havana St.
For this week’s video, I planted broccoli seedlings and sowed the carrot seeds. I’ve got all sorts of tips to share with you so you’ll definitely want to watch it!
Here’s my garden column:
by Susan Mulvihill
Are you in the market for some great plants for your garden? Two in-person plant sales will take place next weekend from Friday through Sunday (May 6-8) and each will offer a wonderful assortment to meet your needs.
The Garden Fair & Plant Sale, which is organized by the Master Gardeners of Spokane County, will offer in-person shopping by appointment only. Sign up for your time slot by going to mgfsc.org/plant-sale. There will be thousands of plants available, including vegetable seedlings, native plants, herbs, pollinator plants, ornamental grasses, dahlia plants and tubers, bulbs and houseplants.
On Friday, shopping appointments will be available for Master Gardener Foundation members only. Anyone who becomes a member will receive a 10 percent discount at the sale as well as 10- to 15-percent discounts at participating local gardening and landscaping supply stores throughout this year. For more information, go to mgfsc.org/purchase-membership.
Garden Fair & Plant Sale co-lead Sue Allert is looking forward to this enjoyable event because it benefits the community in so many ways. “Every purchase raises funds to benefit local educational programs, maintain horticultural demonstration beds, support community gardens, and keep the Master Gardener volunteer program strong,” she explained.
The Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane will hold their annual plant sale next weekend in Manito Park, just east of the Gaiser Conservatory. It will include a broad selection of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs – all of which have been raised by volunteers.
The tomato varieties include Early Girl, Better Boy, Sun Gold, Super Sweet, Lady Bug and Amish Paste. Pepper varieties of Big Jim, Peach Habanero, King of the North bell pepper and California Wonder will also be available. Additional offerings include petunias, bacopas, geraniums, osteospermum, popular herbs and pollinator-friendly perennials such as gaillardia, anise hyssop, calendula, yarrow, rudbeckia and penstemon.
“We’re so happy to be holding a big outdoor sale again after two years of sales by appointment,” said Jennifer Ogden, plant sale coordinator. “We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again!”
This plant sale is the primary fundraiser for the Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane’s grant program, which provides funding for gardening-related community projects within Spokane County. To date, this consortium of independent garden clubs has granted over $350,000. Examples of projects that are eligible for grant consideration include neighborhood or community gardens, signs or markers, plants or planting materials, statuary, building materials and fencing, and educational gardening opportunities.
Projects must provide some public benefit and priority will be given to properties and activities that are owned, organized, or in collaboration with a public or non-profit entity. Completed applications must be received by May 15. To learn more about the plant sale or grant program, go to associatedgardenclubs.org.
Whether you go to one or both of the sales, remember that there will be plenty of knowledgeable, enthusiastic volunteers on hand to help you make the best selections for your garden.
Garden Fair & Plant Sale
When: In-person shopping is available by appointment only throughout the weekend. Friday (May 6) appointments are for Master Gardener Foundation members only, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Appointments are open to the general public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday (May 7), and from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (May 8).
Where: WSU Extension office, 222 N. Havana St.
More information: mgfsc.org/plant-sale.
Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane Plant Sale
When: In-person shopping from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday (May 6), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (May 7), and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (May 8).
Where: In Manito Park, east of the Gaiser Conservatory, 4 W. 21st Ave.
More information: associatedgardenclubs.org/plant-sale/.
Susan Mulvihill is author of “The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook.” She can be reached at Susan@SusansintheGarden.com. Watch this week’s video at youtube.com/susansinthegarden.