Page 116 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2018
P. 116
Plant Sale Checklist
In general, look for . . .
• Check for plant health. There’s nothing worse than taking a “sick
kid” home. Roses especially should be inspected for any leaf or
cane discolorations.
• Think about whether this plant is just begging to be eaten by ani-
mals, insects, or birds in your yard. How will you manage pest con-
trol until the plant is established? Some plants deer tend to avoid are
fragrant ones such as catmint, ones that have toxins in them like fox-
glove and daffodil, and spiny leaved ones such as holly and cactus.
• Locally grown plants. Just because it’s for sale locally doesn’t mean
it is a local plant. Plants grown here in the valley will thrive much
better than imported ones.
• If you are going to buy perennials, shrubs, and/or trees, ask your-
self if the plant will fill out this year the way you want it to. If it takes
a few years, what will you do in the meantime with the empty space?
• Find out if it is a high maintenance plant. Are you able to do the
upkeep to make it healthy? Hydrangeas, for example, need to be
cut back each year, fertilized to turn colors, and have to have a
good balance of light/shade and water.
• Think about whether there might be any negative environmental
effect of putting this plant in the ground. Is it bee-friendly? Does it
use a lot of water? Can it become invasive?
• If you are going to buy vegetables, do you have somewhere to put
them until it’s time to put them in the ground? Tender vegetables
need a sheltered place to “harden off.” Twenty leafy broccoli plants
can make for annoying kitchen guests if you buy too much too early!
• Have you planned to do good crop rotation with your vegetables?
For soil health and insect control, it isn’t a good idea to put the same
kind of plant in the same place year after year.
• Check in with the grower to find out exactly what tags that say
“organic,” “all-natural,” or ”garden-safe” mean. Unless it is
labeled “organic” by the USDA through the National Organic
Program, labels like organic or natural mean different things to dif-
ferent growers.
• If you are going to buy decorative items for your garden, do you
have a specific place in mind for it to hang, be staked, or sit in your
garden or are you buying on impulse?
• Does it seem durable and able to sit outside over winter? Will you
have to take it inside to care for it?
• Is it something truly special and locally made or something you
could get anywhere? When shopping at a local garden sale, part of
the fun is supporting local craftsmanship.
• After the show, you should get the plants home and into a sheltered
location. The trunk of your car does not count as sheltered!
Visit Our Ashland Showroom! • Water them lightly until they are in the ground. Overwatering a con-
tainer plant can lead to unwanted plant growth or worse, disease
and root damage.
552 A Street 541-708-6464 • Put the plants in the ground as soon as conditions allow. Plants that
Open to the public tilestonedesign.com sit in pots too long can become rootbound.
• Check in with your local garden club if you have any questions or
want to get more involved in their activities. Many offer informative
monthly lectures, fun social activities, and ways to be involved in
114 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2018 community projects.
