The annual Southside Master Gardener Association Plant Sale will be held on May 4th from 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot outside the Halifax County Extension Office 171 S. Main Street, Halifax. All types of plants will be available including annuals, herbs, perennials, vegetables, shrubs and trees. The sale will offer some special features such as hypertufa containers, rain barrels and a bake sale.
Herbal vinegars are a tasty way to get calcium into the body. Herbal vinegars are loaded with good stuff like protein, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, Vitamins A, C, and D and some of the B vitamins. Vinegar promotes growth of beneficial bacteria and keeps disease-producing germs in check. Herbal vinegars support the immune system, help digest food and maintain a healthy pH in the intestines. The herbal display will demonstrate how to make herbal vinegars and will have bottled herbal vinegar for sale.
Hypertufa is the name of a process of making garden containers, ornaments, sculptures or stepping stones using Portland cement, perlite and peat. The process was developed to substitute for volcanic rock called Tufa that was traditionally used to make Alpine troughs. Information will be available about the next hypertufa class on July 13th. Planted hypertufa containers and small stepping stones will be available for purchase.
Rain barrels collect rainwater runoff from a roof. One inch of rainfall from a 20' x 40' roof can yield 500 gallons of water. Although rain barrels generally only hold 50 gallons, one small rain can fill a barrel giving you enough water to take care of your containers or a small vegetable garden for several weeks. Completed rain barrels will be offered for sale with information about drought tolerant landscaping.
Garden tools are an extension of the home gardener's arm. Good tools are an investment, one that needs to be protected especially these days where money is tight. We all know that sharp tools, especially pruners, are easier to use, but did you know sharp tools arebetter for the plant? Dull pruner blades can tear bark or mash a stem leaving a wound that is open and susceptible to diseases or insects. The plant has defenses to heal from a sharp clean cut at the proper place. Bring your small gardening tools for a free cleaning and sharpening.
Whether you are a plant lover or an avid fisherman, you won't want to miss our Vermiculture exhibit. Vermiculture is the art of raising earthworms. Find out how these little wonders of nature can turn your organic kitchen wastes, such as coffee grounds, egg shells and fruit peels, into some of the most sought-after organic fertilizer around. Your plants will thrive when they get fertilized with "worm castings".
Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions throughout the sale. If you want more information or are interested in the Master Gardener program visit our website at www.ssmga.org, contact Bill McCaleb in the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
