As I talked about last week, the first Saturday in May is always the Tillamook County Master Gardener Association's annual Plant Sale. And this year is no different. After a couple of years of only doing online sales, the Master Gardeners are back doing them in person. Which is so much more fun!
The sale runs on May 4, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM or sell-out, whichever happens first. Held in the Horse Arena at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds, this sale has gotten bigger and bigger over the years. The Master Gardener sale started in one room of the 4H Dorm and has moved several times over the years to increasingly larger spaces. The Horse Arena has been home to the sale for about 8 years now and turns out to be a prefect spot. Under cover is always helpful, even in early May, and parking is no longer the issue it used to be thanks to the large area provided by the Fairgrounds. The MG's now have space to sell all those hundreds of tomatoes they start from seed each year. The Master Gardeners carefully select varieties of plants - especially tomatoes - that do well on the Oregon Coast with short days-to-harvest numbers.
Photos courtesy of TCMGA
The sale has also expanded to include local vendors that create unique garden art, and others that have native plants or hanging baskets to sell.
The "Potting Shed Rummage Sale" has gotten to be quite a draw, too. Gardeners donate all sorts of lightly-used tools, garden paraphernalia and yard art to the sale. Pots, hoses, books... you never know what you mind find. But always fun to peruse.
One thing our local Master Gardeners enjoy doing is helping shoppers pick the perfect plants for their gardens. Have a question or concern? Bring in samples and photos and the Master Gardeners at the Plant Clinic Booth will be happy to help you with answers.
Proceeds of the sale go toward supporting the TCMGA Learning Garden at the Fairgrounds as well as horticultural scholarships to OSU and the local Tillamook Bay Community College, and support of other TCMGA projects throughout the county.
So, bring your list and some ideas. While the TCMGA members can't guarantee they will have the specific plant you desire, they will do their best to find what you are looking for. And make it a fun morning in the process.
Hope to see you there!
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