Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Planting in fall allows the plants to establish themselves in the cool fall temperatures, to rest through winter and be prepared to support new growth and flower in the spring. The Fall Plant Sale hosted by the Rowan County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers offers a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and houseplants. The prices are at their lowest level this year to make room for the new plants in the greenhouse. All of the funds collected from the Fall Plant Sale will be used to buy unique plants for the various Pocket Garden demonstrations and display areas on the Extension Office campus on Old Concord Road.Hours for the sale Tuesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. at the Extension Office, 2727 Old Concord Road. Master Gardeners will be on hand to help you select plants, answer questions and suggest resources for care, feeding and enjoying your plants. There will also be a selection of BioMarkers to mark your plants in beds for sale at 18 for $25 or $1.50 each. These plant markers are made from recycled products and will withstand long periods outside. If you plant perennials which go dormant during winter, these plant tags work well to help you remember what plants are in your garden so that you do not destroy them during spring weeding. There are also Cobrahead weeders and Atlas Gloves for sale. Both of these make excellent holiday gifts.
Among the plants available you will find a number of oak varieties including overcup, white and red. These trees are approximately 4 feet tall. There are a limited number of persimmon trees, hollies, river birch, pussy willow and pomegranate. Many other trees are available. Large and small shrubs include butterfly bushes, abelia, arborvitae, euonymus, gardenias and camellias. If you are looking for perennials or house plants, those are available as well. There will be a special selection of plants available for you to select from when you make a purchase of $10 or more.
During the morning session from 10 a.m. to noon, you can watch “potting up” of plants that have recently been propagated or rooted from garden varieties found throughout Rowan County. These plants, which were rooted in flats, are ready to be planted in 4-inch or larger pots. Master Gardeners will help you with soil selection, technique and care of newly rooted plants. Master Gardeners will also be on hand to tell you about the Sensory Garden and the Children’s Vegetable Gardens which are being prepared for fall plantings, and preparation for spring planting using a variety of techniques.
Sue Davis is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer with Cooperative Extension in Rowan County.