Get Crisp Spring Crops

By Amanda Boyle, Events Manager and Laura Matter, Garden Hotline Program Coordinator

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: planting season. We can’t wait to show you all of the exciting new things we have in store at our March Edible Plant Sale! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it.

Prepare Yourself

Check out plant lists and descriptions ahead of the sale on our website. What kind of plants do you want to grow this spring? If you have questions about plants and what’s right for your garden, contact our Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org. We will have empty flats available for $1 to help you carry your plants, or bring your own little red wagon or shallow cardboard boxes — get creative!

Learn As You Go

Be sure to read the educational signs and ask any of our friendly and knowledgeable plant sellers (sporting orange vests) any questions you may have throughout the sale. Join our short talks inside the sale for tips on companion planting, spring gardening with cloches and other spring topics. Visit the Seattle Tilth booth for books and educational materials, Garden Hotline educators, as well as seeds and supplies.

Have questions? Find an orange vest!

Come to the Early Bird Sale

For people who want to shop early with limited crowds, come to the Early Bird Sale on Friday, March 13; 6-7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 as a special fundraiser to benefit Seattle Tilth’s education programs. Or volunteer at the event to get in for free — get tickets now!

Find Something New and Exciting

Consider new varieties and old standards when picking your veggies this year. We will be offering a number of new Asian greens including the spicy flavored ‘Shungiku’, also known as edible chrysanthemum. Though not a true chrysanthemum, this fast growing green is a standard leafy vegetable in hot pot recipes. Or, take home some ‘Gunsho’ choi sum, a prolific leafy veggie that is very popular in Asian countries. The entire plant is edible and actually benefits from waiting until it is beginning to flower to use. Be sure to leave room for ‘Autumn Star’ – a new green called “kalette,” a non-GMO cross of Brussels sprouts and kale from England. The fusion of the nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts and sweetness of kale will please the long season gardener. Intended for fall harvest and planted in spring, this kalette will be delicious after a kiss of frost. We are also bringing in a new kale variety developed by Oregon plant breeder Frank Morton called ‘Rainbow Lacinato‘ that is a blend of popular dinosaur kale and ‘Redbor.’ This multi-colored and cold hardy kale makes a striking addition to our northwest palette of kales. Super charge your diet with all of the vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients that these veggies have to offer. We’ll see you March 14 at Pacific Market Center (get directions)!