Written by Elizabeth Gabriel —
You, too, could have a parsley patch that looks this good if you stop by the Mariposa Master Gardener plant sale
MARIPOSA — Because of our now-it’s-spring, now-it’s-winter-again weather, you may have been wary of getting a start on your summer garden. Remember, Mariposa’s historic “last frost date” can come in early May.
Ease your mind. Mariposa Master Gardeners have been propagating since last fall and seed-germinating since February.
The annual spring plant sale is Saturday, Apr. 29, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) at the Amigo Picnic Area at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road.
More than 700 tomatoes – hybrids, heirloom, cherries, romas, purple, yellow and striped are in their red cups — are ready for transplanting into your garden. Some intriguing names: Smarty Grape, Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Chef’s Choice Green VFT, and Vernissage Yellow.
These are “plants” that never need water. The rocks painted to look like cactus sold out quickly at last year’s sale
We’ve had a lot of rain, but drought tolerant plants are always a good idea. Some on the sale list: Salvias, echinacea, butterfly bush, rudbeckia, and bee balm. Our California native list includes California fuchsia, white yarrow, and Clevlandii sage.
Among the vegetables are globe and Asian eggplant, sweet and Thai basil, parsley, sweet and Asian peppers, and tomatillos.
There are six-packs of flowers, herbs galore, and a few surprises. Plus, there’s an information booth about Hugelkultur (a German gardening method), garden art, and mosquito fish (bring a container but not a plastic bag).
And in a separate area not staffed by Master Gardeners, the Resource Conservation District will sell Ponderosa Pine seedlings, with information on the best way to make them thrive.
