A Vendor Village
New This Year

     Gardening related vendors will have booths showcasing their products and services for the first time at the Polk County Master Gardener Plant sale.



Plants of all kinds
  • Herbs
  • Native Plants
  • Vegetables
  • Trees & Shrubs
  • Perennials
  • Annuals
  • Hanging Baskets

  Fundraiser

     This annual Plant Sale is the major fundraiser for the OSU Extension Polk County Master Gardener program.

      Money from the plant sale benefits Polk County Libraries in Dallas, Independence, Monmouth, Falls City and West Salem. Plant Sale funds are also used for the new Polk County Master Gardener demonstration garden; to provide a scholarship for an Oregon State University Horticulture student; to underwrite the annual Fall Fling educational event; to purchase materials for the Master Gardener reference library and to cover costs for Clinics and other projects.

      For more information on the Plant Sale or Polk County Master Gardeners call 503-623-8395 or visit the Polk County Master Gardener website.

 

Polk County Plant Sale Focus is on New, Unusual & Hard-to-Find Plants

     New, unusual, rare and hard-to-find plants of all kinds are the focus of the totally revamped, 23rd Annual Polk County Master Gardeners Plant Sale set for Mother's Day weekend, Fri. May 10 and Sat., May 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in building "C" at the Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S. Pacific Highway W (99W) in Rickreall.  

     Admission and parking are free.

Exciting New Plants
New Focus Embraced
"If you have ever heard Alice Doyle, owner of Log House Plants in Cottage Grove, Oregon, speak about what's new in the veggie world, you'll know how excited we are to be able to offer the public some of the amazing, new plants she introduced us to during her talks," said Eileen Sproule, Polk County MG Plant Sale Committee Chair.
Grafted Tomatoes

   Log House Plants developed the "Mighty 'Mato" a tomato that is grafted onto a heartier root stock to grow bigger, faster, stronger and combat disease. Grafted vegetables typically lead to bigger harvests of better quality fruits over a longer period.

     Grafting can be particularly beneficial to heirlooms tomatoes, which are generally less disease resistant. Their yields increase dramatically when grafted on special rootstock.

     Sproule and her committee plan to have at least 30% of the Plant Sale offerings in the new categories this year.

     "We believe we can set ourselves apart from the host of other plant sales typically offered in the spring," Sproule explained.

Popular Plants, Country Store & Classes Return

     While many of the plant offerings at the sale will be new, some of the "tried and true" Plant Sale elements, including the popular Country Store, will return.

     "Last year we offered some demonstrations during the Plant Sale that were well attended," Sproule said. "We provided tips for planting tomatoes in one demonstration and our "Cooking with Fresh Herbs" demonstration helped us sell out of tarragon the first day."