Master gardeners schedule plant, rummage sale
MADISON – With the threat of frost gone and temperatures on the rise, spring planting season is at its peak. Home gardeners can select fine specimens for planting at the Master Gardeners of North Alabama’s sixth annual Plant Sale and Garden Rummage Sale.
The event on May 11 will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Madison County Farmer’s Market, 1022 Cook Ave. in Huntsville. Customers will find a wide variety of locally grown and curated perennials, which return year after year, and annuals, which thrive for only one growing season.
Vegetables, herbs, shade plants, pollinator plants, small trees, shrubs and much more will be available at reasonable prices, publicist Nareatha Studdard said. Master Gardeners will answer questions throughout the sale, make recommendations and assist customers with their selections and purchases.
“For the first time ever, we will be able to process credit card transactions,” Studdard said.
Along with plant sales, master gardeners will provide free soil pH testing (bring a cup of dry soil), answers at the Ask-a-Master-Gardener table, a rain barrel demonstration and demonstration of using a compost bin.
“We’ll also sell rain barrels, hand tools, gloves, welded wire tomato cages and bee houses. There will also be a garden-themed rummage sale and several raffles,” Studdard said. The venue does offer comfortable restrooms.
“Purchase a hot dog, chips and drink for a special low price, and sit and chat with us to enjoy your lunch,” Studdard said.
Members of the Master Gardener organization and its interns have grown all plants at the sale. Some varieties are difficult to find, even at local nurseries, according to plant sale chairpersons Sue Khoury and Alice Brigman.
“Planning and growing for the sale has been ongoing for months by a dedicated group of volunteers,” Studdard said. “All proceeds will help fund various community service projects throughout Madison County.”
Master Gardeners of North Alabama has a long history of providing educational workshops, hands-on support and horticultural guidance for area schools, civic organizations, senior centers, beautification and tree boards and Huntsville Botanical Garden.
“Members are also active with local horticulture clubs, including the Herb Society, Daylily Society, Native Plant Society and Environmental Educators,” Studdard said. At the botanical garden, members of Master Gardeners plant, maintain and conduct tours of the demonstration vegetable garden and maintain the compost demonstration project.
“Members also staff the vegetable tent at the spring plant sale and provide thousands of volunteer hours throughout the entire garden and Madison County,” Studdard said. “Do you work with a school, church or other non-profit organization that could benefit from gardening training or guidance?”
Master Gardeners of North Alabama Inc. is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and is a member of Alabama Master Gardener Association. The gardeners have supported Alabama Cooperative Extension System since 1988.
For more information, visit mginfo.org or Facebook/Master Gardeners of North Alabama.
