Master Gardeners plan ‘out-of-the-park’ plant sale on April 22

Published 1:06 am Saturday, April 15, 2017

 

NATCHEZ — The Adams County Master Gardeners’ annual plant sale fundraiser will be on Earth Day, April 22, at the Copiah-Lincoln Community College greenhouse.

Master Gardener’s President Beth Dudley said this year the fundraiser would not just have flowers, but also many herbs and vegetables. The group will also offer several classes that day including proper planting and concrete garden art.

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“This is just an out-of-the-park plant sale,” Dudley said. “All of the plants are designed to grow locally, and have been grown locally in our zone by local gardeners.”

Group Vice President Colleen Wilkins said the gardeners have done the difficult work, and all that is required is placing the plants in the ground.

“This would be such a great opportunity to get something you can’t get anywhere else,” Wilkins said. “When it comes to this sale, we have done the best job we have ever done of having plants you can’t find anywhere else.”

Dudley said some of the herbs and vegetables include varieties of basil, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and squash. She said all the plants are from heirloom seeds.

The garden options will also include flowering plants, aloes, ferns and a section dedicated to water gardens.

“Good Friday will have come and now we can plant our gardens,” Dudley said. “This is the perfect time according to the farmer’s almanac to plant.”

The master gardeners have been working on the sale since this past winter. Dudley said they could grow all year round thanks to a greenhouse donated by Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

“Co-Lin donated the greenhouse three years ago,” Dudley said. “It had no heater, but we were able to make money to add a furnace and a ventilation system so we can keep the plants happy all summer and winter.

“Thanks to that, this year we have really knocked it out of the park with the health of the plants.”

The event, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday, is the organization’s only fundraiser each year. Dudley said all proceeds end up going back into the community, as the Master Gardeners do projects for the city, the schools, Jefferson College, Forks of the Road and the gazebo and Bridge of Sighs on the bluff.

The group offers classes at Co-Lin for would-be Master Gardeners, who must volunteer and continue their education.

The Master Gardeners have been active in Adams County since 2001. The group is part of the Adams County Mississippi State University Extension Service.

“This is a great plant sale,” Extension Agent Jason Jones said. “The Adams County Master Gardeners are one of the biggest and most active. They are a big asset to the area.”

The free demonstrations will be at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. 11 a.m. and noon.

At 9 a.m., Adams County Master Gardener Peter Bundgard will demonstrate on how to make new camellia plants..

Delta Master Gardener Cora Morace will share tips on how to get new plants off to the best start at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., the Master Gardeners will teach participants how to keep garden tools sharp. Bring a pair of hand pruners or loppers for hands-on practice.

Adams County Master Gardener Tevah Cardneaux will teach how to make durable concrete garden art from molds at noon.

A “this and that” tent will be set up that includes homemade jams, jellies, relishes and many different craft and pass along items.

“There is a lot going on that Saturday around town, and we hope everyone will make it to many of them,” Dudley said. “We especially hope they make it out to Co-Lin to chose from a beautiful selection of plants at unbelievable prices.”