Jackson County Master Gardeners Plant Sale to aid Greenhouse Fund

The Jackson County Master Gardeners are planning a Spring Plant Sale to help with their fundraising efforts for a greenhouse. According to their President, Sally Waxgiser, a greenhouse would be a wonderful aid to their soon-to-be "Junior Master Gardener Program". It would also provide a year-round teaching environment for local residents. The Master Gardeners plan to share the space with the Jackson County 4-H Clubs. "With a greenhouse we can have classes for young and old alike on a variety of horticultural subjects, propagate various plants for our demonstration beds, aid the University as an off-site research location and provide feasibility studies for local residents desiring to do small-scale greenhouse production. And I am sure we will find lots of other uses for a greenhouse once we get one," Waxgiser said.
 
In January, Veteran Master Gardener and 2006 Tree Farmer of the year, Cindi Stewart, held a plant propagation day at her home, Sandhills Farm. Since the Master Gardeners are pushing native plants for conservation, about a dozen Master Gardeners potted several hundred native plants donated from her acreage including Blanket Flower, Golden Aster, Coral Honeysuckle and Dye Flower. Mrs. Stewart has been tending this plethora of plants since and providing them the necessary shelter from the cold in her greenhouse. "Several more workdays are in order before the plants are ready for the sale," says Cindi, who is this year's Garden Chairperson. "Several local businesses will also be donating plants for the sale. This is a great opportunity for the community to be able to obtain plants not otherwise readily available."
 
Vice President and Program Director, Anita Crossley says, "We will also be selling various "Garden Art" objects such as our favorite, hand made "Tin Men", an array of slightly used gardening  books and other garden related donations. We also have some gourds left from our Purple Martin Workshop in February. If you didn't get a chance to get all that you wanted then, you will have another opportunity at the Plant Sale. Snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase, so come, bring your gardening questions and stay a while."
 
The Master Gardeners are working hard to bring something new to Jackson County. They hope you will stop by the Agricultural Office Building at 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue Saturday, April 26th between 9AM and 2PM. The sale will be held under the 4-H Pavilion at the north west corner of the building. If you would like a list of the plants or additional information about the sale,call the Jackson County Extension Office at 482-9620 and ask to speak to a Master Gardener.