Get Ready for the Master Gardener Plant Sale

            The annual Southside Master Gardener Association Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 7th from 7:30 until noon 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 draped hypertufa containers, rain barrels and a bake sale.

            New this year will be a special Mother”s Day table. Since Mother’s Day is the day after the sale there will be potted containers suitable for a Mother’s Day gift. Garden art will also be available -- including the famous “wine chimes” as well as fairy gardens. Visit this table to select that special gift for Mother.

            “Hypertufa” is the name of a process of making garden containers, ornaments, sculptures or stepping stones using Portland cement, perlite and peat. This year the Master Gardeners will offer containers made in a new process called “draped hypertufa”. Come check out the new look of these containers. A regular hypertufa class will be offered at the Halifax Farmers Market on July 9th.

            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. TThe herbal display will demonstrate how to make herbal vinegars and will have bottled herbal vinegar for sale.

            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. Hand painted rain barrels will be offered for sale. With only five of these to sell, get there early if you want to purchase one.

            Master Gardeners are known for their good food. The bake sale will offer home baked cookies and cakes. Ham biscuits can ease your hunger while you are looking for the perfect plants to take home.

            Garden tools are an extension of the home gardener’s arm.  Good tools are an investment, one that needs to be protected especially when money is tight.  We all know that sharp tools, especially pruners, are easier to use, but did you know sharp tools are better 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.

            Of course there will be lots of plants at rock bottom prices. Featured this year are hellebores, lily tubers, water lilies and lotus. Organic vegetables will also be offered. You will find a good selection of perennials, herbs, annuals, shrubs and trees.

            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 www.ssmga.org, contact Bill McCaleb at the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147, option 0 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

           

Caption for picture: “Draped hypertufa” is a new offering at the Saturday May 7 Plant Sale from 7:30 a.m. to noon on the lawn in front of the Halifax Extension Office. Join the fun to get new plants and a gift for Mother.