Master Gardeners plant sale Saturday, funds to buy project supplies

The Master Gardeners will have their first plant sale from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday at the Orschelin/MERS Goodwill Parking Lot, 2235 N. Westwood Blvd. They plan to make it an annual event.

“All proceeds go back into our Master Gardener account and will be used to buy supplies needed for our projects like flower seeds, etc. and our dues to the Missouri Master Gardener Association,” said Master Gardener Kittye Hall.

“Many of the Master Gardeners will be sharing our bountiful bulbs such as elephant ears, cannas, iris, garden magazines, seeds, garden tools, etc.,” said Hall. “There will be garden art made by Master Gardeners such as bird baths, etc. Garden magazines, seeds, garden tools.”

One of the Master Gardeners will have a free hands-on activity for youth at the sale.

The Master Gardener program provides in-depth horticultural training to individuals throughout Missouri. That group then volunteers their time helping others in their communities learn about gardening and environmental education.

To become trained as a Master Gardener, an individual must complete a 30-hour core training course. Then the Master Gardener trainee is required to give 30 hours of volunteer service back to the community in approved MU Extension activities.

The cost of the course is $200 and includes core course binder and handouts

“We have been wanting to do this for several years,” Hall said. “Just this year we have the paperwork in order. We have someone who has worked very hard to put it together. It just takes one person to get the ball rolling. We have approximately 25 to 30 active members, not all live in Poplar Bluff. We have members in Wayne, Butler, Stoddard and Carter counties.”

Approximately 500-plus second grade students get their start in gardening from the group.

The Master Gardeners “are involved with In-School Gardening,” she said. “We go into all Poplar Bluff second grade classrooms, plus three local parochial schools and teach them how to garden, mostly about vegetables and flowers.”

Along with the Poplar Bluff schools, the gardeners work with the Carter County schools.

“We give each child a packet which contains veggie seeds and flower seeds,” Hall said.

They work with Sierra-Osage Girls during the summer months.

“We give each of them (approximately 12 girls) a planter and starter flowers and let them take care of them. We also teach them about gardening. At the end of summer we have a picnic for them,” Hall said.

The gardeners also help the Juvenile Office with its garden beds.

“We take care of and plant the flower bed in front of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and have been doing that for many years,” Hall said. “We participate in Ag Connections (Ag Expo). We have a booth and distribute materials and take questions, etc.”