Everyone gets the gardening bug in the spring, but sustainable gardeners know that plants native to western Washington are best planted in the fall. Planting natives during their dormant period ensures that plants have time to establish a full root system. A better-developed root system will mean that less watering and fertilizing will be needed in the spring — a more sustainable practice.
Fall is for planting natives, and that’s why several plant sales are coming up. This Saturday, September 8, from 10 to 4 will be the Annual Fall Plant Sale at Seattle Audubon Society, 8050 35th Ave NE. More information about the types of plants available is on Seattle Audubon’s Facebook page.
To help get the word out about fall planting, the Washington Native Plant Society will host a Fall Planting Celebration on Saturday, September 22, from 10 to 4 at Magnuson Park. The Celebration will be a fun and educational event with bulb, seed and plant sales, plant experts from WNPS on hand to answer questions, and free tours of the Native Plant Border at Magnuson Park. The Wedgwood Community Council would like to give a shout-out to WNPS for all their help with the Gathering Place at the Hunter Tree Farm in the summer of 2011!
The FallAbundance Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, September 29, from 10 to 2 at the Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Drive East, Seattle 98112. In addition to the wonderful selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials which will be available, participation in this plant sale is a way to help support the Arboretum, as all proceeds go to its benefit. All greenhouse plants will be 25% off! The Arboretum’s nursery will have a selection of discounted plants on its sales table. This year’s sale will also feature a number of local specialty plant vendors: Madrona Nursery with native plants and perennials; Botanica with unusual perennials; ferns from Foliage Gardens; rhododendrons from The Greenery; and bamboo from Clinton Bamboo.