Early gardener gets the plant

Early shoppers are going to have the greatest selection of plants to choose from this Saturday at the Festival of Gardening.

Sales begin, rain or shine, at 8:30 a.m. at the Aviary building, located along the edge of Miller Park next to Grove Street.

Plants of all kinds will be sold at the festival, and they were all grown by the 130 local members of the Hill City Master Gardener Association. Some of the plants were started from seeds, and others were grown by cuttings, divisions and layering.

You can plan to obtain your tomato plants at the festival. Master Gardeners planted seeds last February and March to produce tomato plants in time for this event. Among the dozens of tomatoes up for sale this Saturday are hybrids, such as Supersonic, and heirlooms, such as Brandywine. You will find the tomato section well-stocked with paste, grape, cherry and slicing tomatoes. The tomatoes available will range from 6-inch seedlings to taller plants beginning to bloom.

Perennial flowers are sure to be a major seller at the festival. The wide selection will include popular plants, such as liriope, daylily, iris and hosta in addition to less common species. Many of the plants will be showing their first buds and blooms.

Other plants useful for home landscaping are going to be for sale, including annuals, wildflowers, shrubbery and trees. Boxwoods of several kinds could be available, along with a selection of plants native to our area.

Indoor plants are always in demand at the festival. You can expect to find ivies, philodendrons, spider plants and peace lilies. Flowering houseplants will also be available.

Master Gardeners are now in their kitchens preparing to bake a variety of tasty treats you can enjoy with a cup of coffee at the festival. They will be selling pies, cakes, cookies and brownies, among other things, which includes garden art, Mothers Day gifts and books.

Children attending the festival can pot up a plant to take home at no charge, assisted by the Master Gardeners. They can also participate in face painting and book-related activities.

All participants are welcome to learn about making compost and English garden troughs in demonstrations led by Master Gardeners. Three gardening seminars will be held in the Aviary starting at 9:30 a.m. Those are spring garden preparation, container vegetable gardening and 30-minute herbs with Patsy and Bev.

Handicapped parking is available at the Aviary and other parking is located at Miller Park Pool (2100 Park Avenue) and the Parks and Recreation headquarters at 301 Grove St. Your purchases will be transported to your car by Master Gardeners with wagons at no charge to you.

This free event is held every May by the Hill City Master Gardener Association to educate the public and raise funds for its programs. The 2009 Master Gardener training program depends on funds raised at the festival. Funds generated are also used to purchase the thousands of plants and supplies required for the hands-on gardening programs we conduct at four city schools for 500 students.