Months of meticulous pampering of an extensive variety of edible and ornamental plants will soon pay off for the 50-plus members of the Oktibbeha County Master Gardeners whose mission is to foster education and improvement of horticultural practices.
The plants will be available for purchase during the annual plant sale which raises funds for scholarships in horticulture at Mississippi State University.
The sale opens May 11 and will run three consecutive Saturdays — May 11, 18, 25 — from 7:30-10:30 a.m. It is conducted in cooperation with the weekly Community Market located at the intersection of Lampkin and Russell Streets in downtown Starkville.
Chuck Rivenburgh, president of the gardening organization, said a wide variety of tomatoes, eggplants, assorted peppers and a range of more exotic varieties will be offered at reasonable prices. There will also be trees and shrubs, in addition to popular bedding plants.
“This project involves practically every master gardener in one way or another,” said Jim McKell who spends hours each week preparing for the sale. “We have regular assignments each week for members to report to our greenhouse on Old Highway 82. Their duties include planting, watering, repotting and fertilizing the plants to produce the healthiest and most robust plants for the public.”
He said master gardeners will also be on hand to answer questions and provide recommendations on how to care for purchases.
The Master Gardener program is part of a nationwide network, a volunteer program for home horticulturists and hobby gardeners, with the motto of “Learning, Sharing, and Growing Together.”
Anyone interested in becoming involved can learn more at the sale. Questions may be directed to the Oktibbeha County Extension Office, 662-323-5916.
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