Spring Sales Have a Lot to Offer
Spring is a time for planting. Even with a drought still hanging over us, the optimism of spring leads most gardeners to make an effort. As though it is aiding and abetting us, the community as a whole, through advertised sales, is sending messages to buy plants.
The first sale that I came across was the Dunwoody Nature Center’s that touted drought resistant native plants. Common sense tells me that nothing is totally drought resistant, but natives are a good option. So I found myself ordering Hearts-a-Bursting (Euonymus americanus), a lovely old-fashioned bush that is also known as Strawberry Bush.
The new Alpharetta Farm Market will be opening on April 26 and is expected to be stocked with plants that are grown locally. One of my favorites is Hanson Farms who sell heirloom tomato and pepper plants.
Another sale that I will definitely be attending is the North Fulton County Master Gardener sale. The sale is at Bulloch Hall on Saturday April 26 and will feature many pass-along plants as well as local plant vendors. Master Gardeners contributing to the pass-along plants sale typically grow slightly more unusual things that catch their fancy. Sometimes this is a specific plant that fascinates them, such as hostas. Fortunately they are more than willing to share these plants at the pass-along sale.
It was through a similar sale that I was able to get a hardy banana tree. It probably will not give any bananas, but makes a terrific tropical plant by the pool.
The sale will host Chef Linton Hopkins (Restaurant Eugene) who will be preparing Southern delicacies in the garden at 11 a.m. Radio Sandy Springs will also be recording the Master Gardener Show live at 10 -11 a.m., with the Garden Gal as host.
Also, do not forget to look for classes where you can learn how to maximize your landscape while using as little water as possible.
Water barrels are just part of the solution. Planting things that need less water such as trees and shrubs is useful. Planting things together that require less/more water will allow you to water them more efficiently.
If you have questions about things in your garden, feel free to contact the Garden Gal through kcopsey@beaconcast.com or through www.gardengal.com.
 A garden at Bulloch Hall |