(Chelsea Update would like to thank Mary Jo Frank for the information and photos in this story.)
The Chelsea Area Garden Club (CAGC) will host its 21st annual plant sale on May 11 from 8 a.m.-noon at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 Old U.S. 12.
Admission is free.
“The plant sale is a wonderful opportunity for gardeners to enhance their yards and flower or vegetable beds,” says garden club president Susan Moore. “We’ll be selling locally grown perennials, ornamental grasses, vegetables and herbs, and other plants, including some 600 daylilies.”
Plants for sale include native plants and perennials that attract pollinators – especially bees, and monarch and other butterflies. Bee balm, coneflowers, daisies, helianthus, lavender, and yarrow are among easy-to-grow plants that can used to create a pollinator-friendly landscape, says plant sale co-chair Merrill Crockett.
Many pollinators, which are critical to our environment, are in decline due to habitat loss, degradation and use of pesticides. “Gardeners can help by adding native plants to their gardens. Native plants provide pollen for bees and nectar and habitat for butterflies and caterpillars,” Crockett adds.
Plants sold at the sale are collected from members’ and friends’ gardens. To make shopping easier, plants are organized by type, including whether they grow best in shade or sun. Most sell for $5 or less.
Vice president and plant sale co-chair Cathy Gillem says, “We’re very proud of the quality of our plants.”
The sale is held rain or shine. Pay by cash or check. Come early for the best selection, advises sale co-chair Mary Randolph.
As in the past, members of Chelsea High School service clubs will direct traffic and help shoppers load their cars. “We really appreciate their assistance,” Randolph said.
Plant sale proceeds are used for horticulture-related community projects and college scholarships. CAGC 2019 grant recipients include the Chelsea Senior Center to hire a summer intern to work with seniors and children at its Intergenerational Garden, the Chelsea Farmers Market for children’s gardening activities, and Faith in Action (FIA) to hire a summer assistant to help set up a vegetable garden outside the FIA building on Main Street in the spring and dismantle the garden in the fall.
Additionally, the club will award $1,000 scholarships to two 2019 Chelsea High School graduates.
CAGC members also plant and maintain flowers along Chelsea’s Main Street and at the Chelsea District Library.
The CAGC meets noon to 2:30 p.m. the second Monday of the month September through May at Chelsea First United Methodist Church, 128 Park St.
For information, call 734-475-9748 or visit www.fb.com/chelseagardenclub.
