Plant sales to raise funds for local clubs, organizations
Offerings at upcoming plant sales include perennials, vegetables, native and organic plants to help Fox Valley gardeners get the growing season off to a good start. It is also a good way to support local nonprofit organizations.
Algonquin:
The Algonquin Garden Club invites the community to its annual Spring Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at a new location, 1140 E. Algonquin Road, by Diamond Physical Therapy. It will feature hundreds of plants, including perennials dug from members' yards, hanging baskets, geraniums, and tomatoes, just in time for Mother's Day. The proceeds of this sale are used for local student scholarships and for the beautification and maintenance of gardens in Algonquin. Visit algonquingardenclub.org or follow the club's Facebook page.
Aurora:
The Fox Valley Garden Club hosts its annual Gardeners' Sale on the Saturday after Mother's Day. Stroll through the farmer's market-style sale that features vendors selling plants and gardening-related items. It will be 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 19, at the Aurora Transportation Center - Metra Train Station, 233 N. Broadway (Route 25). Proceeds from the sale fund the club's community projects. Visit www.foxvalleygardenclub.com.
Batavia:
• On Saturday, May 12, the Batavia Lions will be selling hanging baskets of fresh, locally grown flowers just in time for Mother's Day. The flower sale has been a Batavia tradition for 36 years, and this year's proceeds are earmarked to fund the Batavia Lions scholarship. It is awarded to a Batavia resident graduating senior going on to college or trade school who exemplifies unselfish service to others, particularly those in need.
Watch for the Lions hay wagons and trailers at the southeast corner of Wilson and Water streets, the southwest corner of Wilson and Prairie streets, and the intersection of Main and Mallory streets. Three roaming wagons will be in Batavia neighborhoods on the east and west sides. Visit batavialionsclub.org or follow the club on Facebook.
• The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners invite you to their plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St. in Batavia. Native wildflowers, perennials, ferns, hostas, prairie plants, grasses and many unusual plant varieties will be available. Most plants are dug from club members own gardens. Expert gardeners will be available to answer plant questions. Proceeds from the plant sale support the Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary along The Riverwalk in Batavia. Arrive early for the best selection. For more information, call (630) 879-7578. Visit bpdgclub.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/BataviaPlainDirtGardeners/.
Crystal Lake:
St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Crystal Lake will hold its 18th annual Perennial Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, rain or shine. For sale are perennials dug from members' own gardens, as well as annual flats, hanging baskets, and herb and vegetable starters. Prices for perennials begin at $5 a pot, and specialty hostas and perennials will be priced per plant. The church is located at 485 Woodstock St., just east of Route 14 with North Elementary School across the street. The sale is in the back parking lot. For information, visit www.stpaulsucccl.org, email info@stpaulsucccl.org, or call (815) 459-5096.
Elburn:
• The Friends of the Town & Country Public Library hosts its annual Mother's Day Weekend Flower and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 11, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at the library, 320 E. North St., Elburn. Proceeds will benefit the summer reading program. Visit www.elburnfriends.org or call (630) 365-2244.
• Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road in Elburn, continues its Organic Summer Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12. All organic transplants available for your garden. Get your summer garden growing with organic transplants like peppers, herbs, and, of course, tomatoes. They have heirloom, slicer, paste, and cherry tomatoes. There are a variety of tomato plants in total. Visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com. Heritage Prairie Farm will host one more summer plant sale May 19.
Elgin:
• The annual Douglas Avenue Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at 809 Douglas Ave. in Elgin. It features thousands of perennials, locally grown and freshly potted, for sun or shady areas. Visit www.facebook.com/elgingardenfancies/.
• The Elgin Gardeners of America will host its Mother's Day plant sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Hilltop Road and Highland Avenue, west of Randall Road in Elgin. Hanging baskets, perennials, annuals and herbs as well as plants from member gardens will be available. To learn more about this club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016, visit www.facebook.com/ElginGardenClub/.
Maple Park:
The Kaneland High School FFA & Horticulture's annual plant sale will be 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 10-11, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at the high school, 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park. Visit www.facebook.com/kaneland302/.
Naperville:
Kick off your growing season in lush green style with the Conservation Foundation's plant sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at McDonald Farm, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road in Naperville. Organic vegetables, herbs, native perennials and other plants will be available in time for spring planting.
The Conservation Foundation's Green Earth Institute CSA will provide various locally grown vegetable plants including tomatoes, peppers, kale, and herbs for sale as well as veggie and herb gift boxes and gift colanders. Natural Communities Native Plants also will be selling native perennials and grasses, and the foundation will be selling native trees and shrubs, rain barrels, and a special selection of staff favorite perennials and grasses at a discounted price. The Resiliency Institute, another nonprofit headquartered at McDonald Farm, will offer permaculture plants for sale.
Four Farm tours will feature the sustainable resources and native landscaping found on the grounds. Organic Farm Tours will be given at 9 a.m. and noon, a Farm History and Sustainability Tour at 10 a.m., and a NatureRx Spring Wildflower Walk starts at 11 a.m. Registration for these free tours can be made at Eventbrite.com.
There will be activities for future gardeners in the Children's Garden, and master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions on what to plant to attract bees, butterflies, birds, and other native wildlife to home landscaping.
North Aurora:
The North Aurora Garden Club will hold its 21st annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, at Living Hope Church, formerly Union Congregational Church, 405 W. State St. in North Aurora. It will feature perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables. Visit www.facebook.com/northauroragardenclub.
West Dundee:
The Backyard Garden Club of Dundee Township will host its annual plant sale from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, in Grafelman Park, Fifth and Main streets in West Dundee. It will be held rain or shine; no early birds, please.
The sale features plants, grasses, herbs, vegetables and more from the gardens of club members. The proceeds from the plant sale fund an annual scholarship, available to a student residing in Community Unit District 300 who is pursuing a career in horticulture, environmental studies or related fields.
Woodstock:
• The Bull Valley Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 8 a.m. until sellout on Saturday, May 12, at Bohn's Ace Hardware, 150 S. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock. It will feature plants from members, Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, and Red Buffalo Nursery. For details, call (815) 354-3842.
• On Sunday, May 20, the McHenry County Master Gardeners will host its annual plant sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while plant supplies last, at the University of Illinois Extension-Mchenry County Unit, 1102 McConnell Road in Woodstock.
This plant sale is your chance to purchase perennials and herbs and veggies, home grown by University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners! Advice is also available. It will be held rain or shine. Cash or checks only. Visit www.facebook.com/McHenryCoMasterGardener/.