Master gardener plant sale tomorrow

The annual Master Gardener Plant Sale takes center stage at the Moses Lake Farmers Market in McCosh Park tomorrow, May 5, from 8 a.m. to noon. This is the primary fundraiser for the Master Gardener Foundation of Grant-Adams Counties.

Funds support Master Gardener horticultural and environmental advocacy activities, including demonstration gardens, presentations and classes, an annual public symposium, plus educational materials and references for plant clinics.

Big Bend Community College allows the Grant-Adams Master Gardeners use of their on-campus greenhouse. The greenhouse has two rooms and this year the group was permitted to use both rooms, increasing the growing area.

The Master Gardeners greenhouse crew started getting some perennials going in December 2017, which was earlier than in other years. The majority of the effort in the greenhouse this year has been to concentrate on herbs, annuals, and perennials with a good selection of vegetables, of course.

Our focus is to stay as organic as possible, so the master gardeners made our own soilless mixtures to grow while using organic fertilizer. As in prior years, besides what is being grown in the greenhouse, individual master gardeners are providing an array of crop specialties including peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and much more.

A variety of reasonably priced annual and perennial plants will be available. Need tomatoes? Numerous varieties, both heirloom and hybrid, most from organic seed, can be found at this once-a-year event. Customers will find other seasonal vegetables, herbs, annual flowers, locally adapted perennial trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses. Master gardeners will be available with care and planting information.

The plant sale is accompanied by a concurrent raffle fundraiser. Both fundraisers support master gardener programs. Ticket buyers select the package(s) they want to win. Tickets are available from any MG, or at the Plant Sale, with the drawing at noon tomorrow. You do not need to be present to win.

For answers to gardening questions, contact the master gardeners at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension office at 754-2011, Ext. 4313 or email your gardening questions to ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu. Visit our web page at grant-adams.wsu.edu.