Over the Garden Fence: Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club to host plant sale Saturday

Early May 11, this coming Saturday, a line will form outside the Arts and Crafts Building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Anxious shoppers are ready to roll into a building filled with plants, most of them perennials. For many years the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club has found dividing home-grown perennial plants leads to a market.

The sale committee has been working this week on cleaning up the building both inside and out. The club purchased a new banner so an old make-shift "Thanks" sign on an oil cloth table cover can be pitched.

The day before Mothers' Day is not a bad time to hold a plant sale. Early this week at a regular club meeting members potted up assorted planters full of annuals which is a bit off the perennial direction, but they sell well.

Meanwhile each member has been scurrying around selecting and potting perennials putting labels on them to identify the plant. A few of us divided last growing season and these plants are well rooted and looking happy.

No shortage of flowers, plants ground cover or fruits and berries

There are some succulent additions this year, already potted to grow. There is no shortage of daylilies and hostas. Houseplants are lined up. There are Moses in a Cradle starts and spider plant babies. Herbs will be offered from a buying trip while more mature starts from members beds appear. Chives plants fit in this category and are show offs right now with lavender spheres and buds giving off ornamental value.

Ground covers, like ajuga and a variety of sedums, look inviting and are easily grown even in shady spots. Lily of the valley is in bloom and so fragrant. We have that plant. Berry plants like blackberry and raspberry are ready for those seeking bramble fruit. Lambs' ears will be waving at you.

Bulbs just past blooming this spring are tempting in their clumps. And yes, these can be planted now even though growers usually let them hang around until fall to replant. There will be pots overflowing with the dearest blue forget-me-nots. Who can pass up the promise they bring by spreading by next spring?

Liatris, Solomon's seal, penstemon, sea holly, shasta daisies and other long-lasting perennials are on the sale shelves. Price keys are in color and correspond to popsicle sticks so that you know what you are being charged.

A few members have mentioned canna bulbs, yucca plants and tree seedlings. Bare root pawpaw trees are in moist spaghnum sacks ready for those seeking something rare.

Pick up a box or grab a wagon and go on your merry way

The plan is that as you enter you can pick up a box carton or grab a wagon and go on your merry way around the plant route in the building. We have four check out lanes to make that first very busy hour work with some ease. We even have section − a guarded holding spot − where you can place selections then continue shopping. In club t-shirts and aprons, we will be ready. We may not be like a greenhouse but we try hard for this three-hour venture.

This Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, you are invited to come shopping. Once in to the fairgrounds just follow the cars and enter the double doors into a temporary haven of plant diversity. Members can assist you, answer questions get you to check out or catch up on news a bit like a social event. There are even hugs.

A small offering of garden-related items will be at the back of the room. Rain or shine, the show is on.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Earth, Wind and Flowers in Bucyrus holding plant sale at fairgrounds