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 The annual plant sale at the Logan County Fairgrounds was a bit
late this year, due to a harsh winter and cold spring, which slowed
down the early growing season. However, this had little effect on
the local market because until just recently it hasn’t been warm
enough to put to plants in the ground anyway.
When the doors opened at 9 a.m., the 4-H barn being used quickly
filled with shoppers grabbing up their favorite plants. The first
person to arrive at the check-out did so within just a couple of
minutes, as it appeared she knew exactly what she was coming for and
where to find it.
This year there were hundreds if not thousands of plants ranging
from ornamentals, such as Hostas and Day Lilies; to herb plants, and
vegetable plants, such as tomatoes.
A large stack of boxes set aside for shoppers by the Master
Gardeners quickly dwindled as shoppers snatched up plants in
quantities.
This year, there were volunteers from the local 4-H organizations on
hand to assist customers with carrying their purchases out to their
vehicles. There were also carts and wagons available for the really
big items.
Within the first 30 minutes the plant inventory fell by at least 50
percent as happy shoppers made their way through the check-out.
Amy Hyde with the Logan County Extension was on hand watching the
event and said it was going to be yet another good year for the
Master Gardener sale.
She explained that the advantages to buying from the gardeners
include the fact that the cost of the plants is significantly lower
than at a retail establishment.
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She said the role of the Master Gardeners is to teach and
encourage gardening. She said some have asked her to explain how
a plant sale does this, and the explanation is pretty easy. At
the sale, customers have the opportunity to try something new at
a fairly inexpensive cost. They also have the opportunity to
talk to the gardener who actually grew the plant, and learn from
him or her what it is going to take to make the plant prosper in
their own lawn.
She added, “If you buy something here and it doesn’t work out
for you, you didn’t break the bank at a retail store in order to
find that out.”
The money raised from the sale goes to the Master Gardener
organization. Hyde said it is used primarily to fund a day trip
the gardeners take each year to a garden related business or
company.
The money is also used to fund the planting of annual flowers
around the Logan County Fairgrounds. Hyde explained the beds at
the fairgrounds are annual flowers that can be changed each
year. Most of the gardeners grow perennials, so they purchase
the flower plants for the fairgrounds.
[By NILA SMITH]
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