How long have you been managing the co-op’s spring Plant Sale? How did you get involved originally?
Maureen Hark
This is my fourth year coordinating the Plant Sale. I have a background in gardening education, urban farming, and community organizing. While I had never coordinated a sale of this size prior to working at the co-op, I am forever interested in what our community is eating and jumped at the chance of finding more ways to support that. Being the co-op’s Plant Sale Coordinator has been a great learning opportunity!
What can co-op shoppers find at the Green Earth Growers has beautiful hanging Plant Sale? What are some of your baskets and annuals, and Rush Creek offers favorite plants available at the sale? a phenomenal collection of herbs. All of You’ll find an array of native flowering plants, pollinator-friendly annuals and perennials, herbs, and vegetable starts. This includes an extensive collection of tomatoes, peppers, and herbs that are constantly being built upon and refined based on customer and staff feedback. My favorite plants available at the Plant Sale are the selection of fresh culinary herbs. This year, you’ll find 13 varieties of basil, 12 varieties of lavender, 15 varieties of mint, as well as shiso, patchouli, ginseng, calendula, and Mexican oregano, along with a huge variety of more common herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
Where does Mississippi Market source its Plant Sale offerings?
Everything is sourced locally from Glacial Ridge Growers (Glenwood, Minn.), Green Earth Growers (Prior Lake, Minn.), and Rush Creek Growers (Spring Valley, Wis.). Glacial Ridge is known for their comprehensive native plant collection,
them are strongly committed to using sustainable growing practices. Everything at the Plant Sale is grown using organic standards with a healthy selection of certified organic vegetables available.
Have you seen the Plant Sale change and evolve from year-to-year? Yes, it continually evolves as we respond to feedback and suggestions. For example, peppers are becoming increasingly popular. Last year, we brought in several new varieties from around the world, and this year will be no different. You’ll find a Piquillo pepper from Spain commonly used in making tapas; a squat, wrinkly Ají Dulce pepper from Puerto Rico, which is similar to a habañero but without the intense heat; and a pepper called Berbere used for making a spicy paste that is a key ingredient of Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine.
How can co-op shoppers learn more about different types of edible gardening during the Plant Sale?
Each Saturday afternoon during the Plant Sale, Ramsey County Master Gardeners What new features or unique will be on hand to share their expertise plants will be available during on a variety of topics with co-op shoppers. this year’s Plant Sale? Also, co-op staff member Winona Everyone is hungry for colorful plants and Gomez will hold a special kids’ activity anxious to start gardening in early spring. each Saturday during the sale related This year, you’ll be able to find pansies, petunias, and other hardy flowering annuals to that day’s Master Gardener topics. a week and a half before the Plant Sale begins during our Early Bloomer Sale. Look for them in the West Ask a Master Gardener— West 7th store 7th store entryway beginning Each Saturday in May | 1:00–3:00 p.m. Speak with edible-gardening experts and April 22. New this year, you’ll also get your questions answered. find lingonberries and thornless blackberries, in addition to Meyer MAY 4—Building a Pollinator Garden lemon, Makrut lime, and Black MAY 11—Gardening with Children Fig trees, which make excellent MAY 18—Vegetable Container Gardening potted patio plants that can be MAY 25—Growing & Preserving Herbs brought indoors during the winter.
THE MEDLEY | 13