Spring is on its way and the annual plant sale at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens will be held soon.
This primary fundraiser for the Friends of the Gardens will take place on Saturday and Sunday May 5 and 6 at the gardens. Gates open both days at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
Vendors will offer the usual array of annual and perennial flowers, native plants, shrubs, a few trees, and of course vegetables, including many varieties of tomatoes.
Visitors to the plant sale will find more than just plants. Volunteers and master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the plants being offered and gardening in general.
Artisans and creators of garden art will be displaying their wares. There will also be a show of bonsai trees.
For those who are new to the Okanagan and are finding that gardening isn’t the same as it was in Vancouver or Edmonton, Friends of the Gardens is offering a special afternoon workshop, Okanagan Gardening for Newcomers. The presenter is Kathryn McCourt, a long-time Okanagan gardener who has also had experience on the Lower Mainland and in Alberta. The workshop takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Proceeds from the plant sale finance the maintenance of the gardens, including two full-time gardeners who, assisted by dozens of volunteers, keep the flower beds looking fresh and colourful.
For more information on the spring plant sale, call 250-494-6385 and leave a message or email friends.summerlandgardens@gmail.com.
