Get ready for growing season: First, visit the Master Gardener plant sale

By Mary Fran McClure
WSU Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener

Several Master Gardeners transplanting seedlings to 4-inch pots in the greenhouse.
WSU Master Gardener Connie Mehmel, center, instructs Master Gardener trainees Jennifer Thomas, left, and Todd Cordell on proper transplanting technique on March 28. The trainees were moving seedlings from trays to 4-inch pots in preparation for the Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale on April 25. – Photo provided by Mary Fran McClure
Mary Fran McClure
Mary Fran McClure – WSU Extension Chelan/Douglas County Master Gardener – photo by Don Seabrook, Wenatchee World

A spring ritual for many local gardeners is the Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale. This year, the sale will take place Saturday, April 25, opening at 9 a.m. sharp at Pybus Public Market. And yes, there are many enthusiastic folks who line up early to get their favorite tomato, peppers, herbs, and ornamentals to be sure their favorites aren’t sold out. The best selection is typically before 11 a.m.

Two rooms on the river side of Pybus will be overflowing with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, native plants and a large selection of perennials.

Seeds of the most popular vegetables and herbs are grown with great care by Master Gardeners specifically for this plant sale. They include 20 tomato varieties, along with five varieties of hot peppers and six types of sweet peppers. Among the 13 herb varieties are basil, thyme, sage, rosemary and parsley. Other vegetables include Swiss chard, cucumbers, eggplant, kale and sage. The past two years, I’ve purchased a few of the annual calendula and been impressed with their constant flowering all summer into fall.

This year, in addition to popular vegetables grown and sold every year, there are two new cucumbers, Sashimi and Mexican sour gherkins.

Ballot-winning tomatoes from our program’s annual Tomato Gala will be available. This free event is on the third Saturday in August at the Community Education Garden in Wenatchee. The gala attracts many tomato testers, offering them an opportunity to taste various tomatoes and pick favorites.

Be aware that the end of April is too early to plant tomatoes, peppers and other hot-weather annuals outdoors. We offer a handout with guidelines for keeping them protected until spring weather warms. Included are directions for the very important hardening off process and then instructions for planting.

As for perennials, we will have an impressive selection. Some early bloomers are on the verge of blooming, such as dianthus and Lewisia.

In addition, check out our selection of fire-resistant and native plants from Derby Canyon Natives in Peshastin. They include several varieties of penstemons, milkweed, and other popular and hardy plants. For shrubs, both Golden Currant and Red-flowering Currant will be available.

A wide selection of easy-to-grow perennials grown by Master Gardeners will also be available. There will also be a limited group of young trees, shrubs, grasses and roses.

Whether your landscape has full sun, part sun or shade, we have many plants that will fit your needs, including three types of show-stopping cannas. They don’t survive our winters unless they are brought into a garage or protected space. Many customers don’t bother overwintering them and value them for their impressive summer show as an annual.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions, direct you to plants that meet your needs, or just enjoy a bit of gardening chat.

This is our local Master Gardener Foundation’s largest fundraising event. Proceeds help fund our program’s demonstration gardens, plant clinics, talks and other events we offer free to the public.

A WSU Chelan and Douglas County Master Gardener column appears weekly in The Wenatchee World. To learn more about your local Master Gardener program, visit bit.ly/MGchelandouglas or call (509) 667-6540.