Your guide to plant sales in and around Snohomish County

Just like at a garage sale, the best stuff goes fast at a plant sale.

The Hardy Plant Society of Washington held one of the first sales of the season earlier this month at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. The society’s selection of plants and seeds from members’ gardens was picked over in just two hours.

“We opened at 10, and by noon people were saying, ‘Gosh, where are all the plants?’ ” said Julie Martinson, a member of Hardy Plant Society from Everett. “We had nine tables completely filled with plants at the start. We were reduced down to three tables by noon.”

Her secret to getting the best selection? Volunteer at the sale. Helpers get to do their shopping as they set up a sale the evening before.

Here’s our annual list of plant sales by garden clubs, schools, community groups, churches and local plant foundations held in April, May and June. Several of them fall on Mother’s Day weekend.

April

Seattle Dahlia Society: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 at Country Village, 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell. Hundreds of dahlia tubers. Plants in all sizes, colors and forms. Members will help with selections and growing information. More at www.seattledahliasociety.org.

Sno-King Fuchsia Society: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22, Country Village, 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell. Hardy, hanging and unusual fuchsias, garden plants and more. More at www.snokingfuchsiasociety.yolasite.com or call 425-760-3091.

Snohomish County Dahlia Society: Tuber Sale,11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 23, Legion Hall at Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Lots of dahlia tubers for sale. Tuber and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 29, Stocker Farms, 10622 Airport Way, Snohomish. Pictures and club members available to help with your purchases. Call 360-659-8687 or go to www.scdahlias.org for more information.

Snohomish High School: Plant Sale Preview Night is 6-7 p.m. April 25 at the Snohomish High School greenhouse, 1316 Fifth Ave. $10 admission gets you first pick of the plants, appetizers and door prizes. Plant sale continues 4 to 7 p.m. April 26, 3 to 6 p.m. April 28 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29. Free admission. Herbs, perennials, flowers and vegetables. All plants cultivated by agriculture science students. Proceeds benefit the school’s greenhouse program. Email hello@svffaalumni.com for Preview Night tickets.

Stanwood High School: Bloomin’ Plant Sale, April 26-29 and May 6, 10-13 on the corner of Highway 532 and Lindstrom Road. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Annuals, perennials, vegetable starts, herbs and baskets. All plants grown by greenhouse production and horticulture science students. Bring in this listing for 10 percent off your purchase. Call 360-629-1329 for more.

Alderwood Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 at the Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. Perennials, annuals, shrubs and veggie starts. Lots of knowledgeable gardeners available to answer your gardening questions. Proceeds support horticulture scholarships, community projects and other club activities. New to the sale this year is garden art. Call 206-948-0070 or go to www.alderwoodgardenclub.org.

Mabana Flames Fire Auxiliary: 9 a.m. to noon April 29, Mabana Fire Station, 3651 S. Camano Drive, Camano Island. Tomato plants, annuals, fuchsia hanging baskets, member’s perennials. There will also be a bake sale. Mabana Flames supports the volunteer firefighters of southern Camano Island. Call 360-387-0105.

Snohomish Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 at The Farm at Swan’s Trail, 7301 Rivershore Road. Perennials, herbs, annuals, veggie starts, shrubs, ground covers, native plants, small trees and shrubs, as well as used garden-related items and equipment. All plants are carefully cultivated and shared by members. Proceeds support community projects and scholarships in the horticulture field. More at www.snohomishgardenclub.com.

May

Edmonds Floretum Garden Club: 9 a.m. to noon May 6 at Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Caspers St. Perennials, bulbs, herbs, annuals and shrubs. There will also be garden-related art, crafts, pots, tools and books at the garden boutique. More at www.edmondsfloretumgardenclub.org.

Greenwood Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 at Warm Beach Community Park, 19016 94th Drive NW, Stanwood. Perennials, annuals, ground covers, succulents, vegetable starts, herbs and yard art. Call 360-652-4138 for more information.

Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation: Annual Master Gardeners Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6 at WSU Snohomish County Extension, McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Extensive selection of perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetables, berries, grasses, herbs, annuals and native plants. The sale is famous for its selection of tomato varieties. Call 425-357-6010 for more information or go to www.snomgf.org.

South Whidbey Eagles: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie, 16691 Highway 525, Freeland. Plants from local growers include tomatoes, geraniums, bedding plants, hanging baskets, trees, grasses and ground covers. Proceeds go to Whidbey Island charities. Call 360-321-5636 or go to www.foe3418.com for more.

Snohomish Conservation District: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 12 at the Snohomish Conservation District Office, 528 91st Ave. NE, Lake Stevens. Rain barrel kits for sale. Each kit contains a 55-gallon barrel with spigot, overflow spout and mesh over inlet. More information: Call 425-335-5634 or go to snocd.org/1-day-barrels.

Edmonds Community College: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12 and 13 at the Edmonds Community College greenhouse, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Annuals, perennials, vegetable and herb starts, container gardens, fuchsia baskets, conifers, succulents, miscellaneous garden items. Pottery available May 12 only. Call 425-640-1614 or go to edcc.edu/hort for more information.

Island County Master Gardener Foundation: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13, at Greenbank Farm, Highway 20 and Wonn Road, Greenbank. Perennials, native plants, shrubs, vegetables. There will be a plant clinic all about gardening and personal shoppers to help you with your purchases. Check http://island.wsu.edu for more.

Edmonds in Bloom: Kids Plant for Mom’s Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at the Edmonds Farmers Market, Fifth Avenue and Bell Street. Children decorate and plant pots with the help of volunteers. A $10 donation for materials is requested. Kids can also see the Children’s Fairy Flower Parade at noon and make a free Mother’s Day card at C’est La Vie, 320 Fifth Ave. S. Visit the website www.edmondsinbloom.com.

Arlington Garden Club: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at City Hall Plaza, 238 North Olympic Ave. Perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables, shrubs and more. Proceeds go toward a horticulture scholarship awarded to a local high school senior. Coffee and baked goods will also be sold. Call 360-220-2588 or go to www.arlingtongardenclub.org for more.

Camano Animal Shelter Association: Plant and Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 at the Camano Multipurpose Center, 141 E. Camano Drive. Wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants. There will also be a bake sale, hot dogs and water for sale, plus free coffee. Proceeds benefit homeless pets at the local animal shelter. Call 360-387-1902 or go to www.camanoanimalshelter.org for more information.

Everett Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13, at the corner of 52nd Street SE and Evergreen Way in Everett (in front of Party Display and Costume). Vegetable and plant starts, container gardens, ground covers, yard art and Mother’s Day gifts. Trees and shrubs donated by local wholesale nurseries. Established plants from member gardens, including strawberries, ferbs, bulbs, dahlias, lillies, lavender and herbs. Garden experts will be available to answer questions. Proceeds go to community projects. Call 425-238-7649 for more.

Monroe Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at the East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway. Perennials, shrubs, native plants, vegetable starts and more. Proceeds support the club’s annual scholarship and community beautification projects. Call 360-794-5171 or email rersss0406@yahoo.com.

Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation: Annual Plant Fair, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 West Taylor St., Mount Vernon. More than 2,000 tomato plants, veggie and flower starts, native plants, perennials, herbs, trees, shrubs and Mother’s Day gifts. Information booths on plant problems, garden tools, native plants, rain gardens, shore stewards, composting and sustainable agriculture. More at http://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/plant-fair.

Forever Flowers: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19, 20, and 21, 3427 153rd Ave. SE, Snohomish. Perennials, shrubs, grafts, monkey trees and hardy fuschias. Call 425-335-0491 or email milkyway153@hotmail.com for more.

Pilchuck Fuchsia Society: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20, 12906 17th St. NE, Lake Stevens. Hanging fuchsia baskets, hardy fuchsias, plant and vegetable starts. Email msmag59@gmail for more information.

June

Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation: Garage Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 at WSU Snohomish County Extension, McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Used garden-related items, from plants to tools to garden art. Clean out your sheds and donated unneeded usable items. Call 425-357-6010 for more information or go to www.snomgf.org.

Meerkerk Gardens: Purple Passion Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 3 and 4 at Meerkerk Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank. Lots of varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas, companion and native plants to choose from. Entrance to the garden is free on sale days. Wear purple and receive a free purple plant. Call 360-678-1912 or see www.meerkerkgardens.org for more information. ^

Sorticulture: Everett’s Garden Arts Festival is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11 at Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. The festival includes garden art, specialty nurseries, presentations by gardening experts, display gardens, music, playhouses and children’s activities. Admission is free. Visit www.everettwa.org for more information.

Evergreen Arboretum: Annual Plant Sale & Raffle, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 17 at American Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers, roses and annuals. Sale benefits arboretum projects. Raffle will be held at 4 p.m. You don’t have to be present to win. Visit www.evergreenarboretum.com or call 425-257-8597 for more information.

Don’t see your plant sale? Email Sara Bruestle at sbruestle@heraldnet.com and we can add it to this story at www.heraldnet.com.