Plant sales kick off Snohomish County’s gardening season

EVERETT — It grows every year.

This year’s Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation’s plant sale — set for May 5 — has grown by the thousands of plants.

“This is the biggest plant sale in the county,” said Michele Duncan, co-chair of the sale. “I know because I’ve been to all of them.”

The sale starts at 9 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. and is held in the three parking lots that surround the WSU Snohomish County Extension offices at 600 128th St. SE in Everett’s McCollum Park.

Master gardeners will have more than 6,000 perennials, 5,000 tomato starts and 4,000 herb and veggie starts for sale. Whole sections will be filled with grasses, trees, shrubs, rose bushes and native plants. There also will be a variety of ground covers, carnivorous plants and living garden art.

As if that weren’t enough, specialty nurseries also will be offering a selection of unusual, interesting and hard-to-find plants.

More than 120 volunteers — most of them master gardeners — will be available to help shoppers with purchases the day of the sale. They’ll hold on to your plants so you can go get your vehicle to pick them up. Or so you can keep on shopping.

No need to bring your own boxes. They’ll have those, too.

Duncan’s advice? “Come early and buy lots.”

Here’s our annual list of plant sales by garden clubs, schools, community groups and plant foundations held in April, May and June. Many of them fall on Mother’s Day weekend.

APRIL

Snohomish County Dahlia Society: Tuber Sale, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 15 at Legion Hall, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Tuber and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 28 at Stocker Farms, 10622 Airport Way, Snohomish. Hundreds of varieties of dahlias to choose from. Also bring your own bucket for fish compost. Call 425-923-7945 or go to www.scdahlias.org for more information.

Meerkerk Gardens: Earth Day Sale, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. April 21 and 22, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank. Lots of varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, companion and native plants to choose from. Entrance to the garden is free on sale days. Call 360-678-1912 or see www.meerkerkgardens.org for more information.

Mabana Flames Auxiliary: 9 a.m. to noon April 28, at Mabana Fire Station, 3651 S. Camano Drive, Camano Island. Perennials, tomato plants, annuals and fuchsia hanging baskets will be available. All proceeds support volunteer firefighters at the Mabana Fire Station. Call 425-351-5202.

Snohomish Garden Club: The club’s plant sale is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28, at The Farm at Swan’s Trail, 7301 Rivershore Road, Snohomish. Perennials, herbs, annuals, veggie starts, shrubs, trees, ground covers and native plants. There also will be used gardening supplies available. Proceeds support community projects and scholarships in the horticulture field. More at www.snohomishgardenclub.com.

Seattle Dahlia Society: Hundreds of dahlia tubers and plants in all sizes, colors, forms will be for sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 29, at Country Village, 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell. Perfect for your garden, exhibition or cut flowers. More at www.seattledahliasociety.org.

Sno-King Fuchsia Society: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28, at Country Village, 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell. Annuals, perennials, bushes, tomatoes and fuchias — both hardy and hanging baskets. Members available to help with purchases. Proceeds go to a horiculture scholarship. Call 425-760-3091. More at www.snokingfuchsiasociety.yolasite.com.

Alderwood Garden Club: The club’s plant sale is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28, at Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. Find perennials, annuals, shrubs, veggie starts, houseplants and garden art. Gardeners are available to answer your gardening questions. Proceeds support horticulture scholarships, community projects and other garden club activities. Call 206-948-0070 or go to www.alderwoodgardenclub.org.

South Whidbey Garden Club: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28, Bayview Hall, 5642 Bayview Road, Langley. Vegetable starts, grasses, bulbs, ferns, perennials, annuals, succulents, shrubs, trees. Garden art, books and baked goods will also be available. There will also be a raffle. Email christineonwhidbey@gmail.com or go to southwhidbeygardenclub.com for more information.

Hardy Plant Society Washington: Find rarely-seen and reliable hardy perennials and seeds for sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29, in the Northwest Horticultural Society Hall at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle. All plants are well-grown and the seeds carefully selected from members’ gardens. Go to www.hardyplantsocietywa.org or call 206-999-3092 for more information.

MAY

Snohomish High School: The Snohomish FFA hosts its annual plant sale 3 to 6 p.m. May 2-4, 11 and 18 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5, 12 and 19 at at the Snohomish High School greenhouse, 1316 Fifth Ave., Snohomish. Veggie and herb starts, flowering annuals and hanging baskets. All plants cultivated by agriculture science students. Proceeds benefit the school’s greenhouse program. Email hello@svffaalumni.com.

Edmonds Floretum Garden Club: 9 a.m. to noon May 5, Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds. Locally grown perennials, bulbs, herbs, annuals and shrubs. There will also be garden-related art, containers, vases, tools and crafts at the boutique. Proceeds fund scholarships for horticulture students. More at www.edmondsfloretumgardenclub.org.

Greenwood Garden Club: Perennials, annuals, ground covers, succulents, vegetable starts and herbs will be for sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5, at Warm Beach Community Park, 19016 94th Drive NW, Stanwood. A selection of yard art will also be available. Call 360-652-4138 for more information.

Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 5, WSU Snohomish County Extension, McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Extensive selection of tomato, herb and veggie starts. Perennials, native plants, trees, shrubs, ground covers, carnivorous plants and living garden art. Specialty nurseries will be offering unusual, interesting and hard-to-find plants. Proceeds support demonstration gardens, plant problem clinics and training programs. More at www.snomgf.org.

South Whidbey Eagles: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie, 16691 Highway 525, Freeland. Plants from local growers include tomatoes, geraniums, bedding plants, hanging baskets, trees, grasses and groundcovers. Enter raffle to win a Weber barbecue, hanging baskets and more. Proceeds go to Whidbey Island charities. Call 360-321-5636 for more information.

Edmonds Community College: Mother’s Day Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 and 12 at the Edmonds Community College greenhouse, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Annuals, perennials, vegetable and herb starts, container gardens, fuchsia baskets, conifers, succulents and miscellaneous garden items. Call 425-640-1614.

Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation: Plant Fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 West Taylor St., Mount Vernon. More than 2,500 tomato plants, veggie and flower starts, native plants, perennials, herbs, trees, shrubs and Mother’s Day gifts. Information booths on plant problems, garden tools, native plants, rain gardens, shore stewards, composting and sustainable agriculture. More at http://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/plant-fair.

Everett Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12 at the corner of 52nd Street SE and Evergreen Way, Everett. Trees, vegetable and plant starts, container gardens, ground covers, berries, lavender, dahlias, lilies, ferns and herbs. Yard art and garden crafts also available. There will also be a raffle. Selection from members’ gardens and wholesale nurseries. Call 425-238-7649 or go to www.facebook.com/everett.gardenclub.

Monroe Garden Club: Shop for perennials, vegetable starts, shrubs and more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12, East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Proceeds support the club’s annual scholarship and community beautification projects. More at monroegardenclub.net.

Edmonds in Bloom: Kids Plant for Mom’s Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12, Edmonds Farmers Market, Fifth Avenue and Bell Street. Children decorate and plant pots with the help of volunteers. A $10 donation for materials is requested. Kids can also see the Children’s Fairy Flower Parade at noon and make a free Mother’s Day card at C’est La Vie, 320 Fifth Ave. S. Visit the website www.edmondsinbloom.com.

Island County Master Gardener Foundation: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12, Greenbank Farm, Highway 20 and Wonn Road, Greenbank. Perennials, native plants, shrubs and vegetables. There will be a plant clinic all about gardening and personal shoppers to help you with your purchases. Check http://island.wsu.edu for more.

Woodinville Garden Club: Tomatoes, choice perennials, vegetables, hanging baskets, sedum and bonsai containers, indoor plants and table baskets will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12 on the grounds of Chateau St. Michelle Winery, 14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville. More at www.woodinvillegardenclub.org.

Arlington Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12 at the Arlington City Hall plaza, 238, N. Olympic Ave., Arlington. Perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and more. Proceeds go toward a horticulture scholarship awarded to a local high school senior. Coffee and baked goods will also be available. Go to www.arlingtongardenclub.org for more.

Camano Animal Shelter Association: Bake and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12 at the Island County Multipurpose Center, 141 E. Camano Drive. Wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants. There will also be a bake sale, hot dogs and water for sale, plus free coffee. Proceeds benefit homeless pets at the local animal shelter. Call 360-387-1902 or go to www.camanoanimalshelter.org for more information.

Glacier Peak High School: Farmers & Makers Market, 4 to 7 p.m. May 17, in the Glacier Peak High School commons, 7401 144th Place SE, Snohomish. A student-led market focusing on plant starts and makers craft. Support a high schooler’s entrepreneurial project at this fourth annual market. Rare, uncommon and unusual finds. Call 425-501-7337.

Forever Flowers: Perennials, shrubs, trees, hydrangeas, duetzia and hardy fuschias will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18, 19 and 20, 3427 153rd Ave. SE, Snohomish. Call 425-335-0491 or email milkyway153@hotmail.com for more.

Pilchuck Fuchsia Society: The sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at the 17th St. Salon & Gifts, 12906 17th St NE, Lake Stevens. There will be hanging fuchsia baskets, hardy fuchsias, flowering vines, small trees and other plants and vegetable starts. Call 425-330-4134 or email kimmiegogal@live.com with questions.

JUNE

Meerkerk Gardens: Purple Passion Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 and 3 at Meerkerk Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank. Lots of varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, companion and native plants to choose from. Entrance to the garden is free on sale days. Wear purple and receive a free purple plant. Call 360-678-1912 or see www.meerkerkgardens.org for more information.

Evergreen Arboretum: Plant Sale & Raffle, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16, on the tennis courts at Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. Garden experts will be available to answer questions and give advice. Sale benefits arboretum projects. Raffle will be held at 4 p.m. You don’t have to be present to win. More at www.evergreenarboretum.com.

Sorticulture: Everett’s Garden Arts Festival is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10 at Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. The festival includes garden art, specialty nurseries, presentations by gardening experts, display gardens, music, playhouses and children’s activities. Admission is free. Visit www.everettwa.org for more information.

Don’t see your plant sale? Email Sara Bruestle at sbruestle@heraldnet.com and we can add it to this story at www.heraldnet.com.