Two native plant sales in our area coming up!
Photo credit: WCCD. A previous year’s native plant expo.
by Sara Swanson
In the past we’ve run many articles about native plants, including a guest editorial.
Native plants are the plants that were growing here before Europeans arrived and are vital to healthy ecosystems. They are adapted to Michigan’s soils and climate, requiring less water and maintenance. They increase biodiversity by providing food and habitat for our native animals, birds, and pollinators. In addition to supporting biodiversity, native plants help protect water quality, reduce erosion and flooding, and restore degraded soil and landscapes.
If you have been interested in growing native plants but weren’t sure where to start, now is your chance! Two area organizations are holding native plant sales/educational opportunities in the next couple of weeks.
On Friday, May 30, River Raisin Watershed Council (RRWC) is holding a native plant sale in Tecumseh and on Saturday, June 7, Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) is holding a native plant sale at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor.
The RRWC sale is taking place at their headquarters located at 804 N Evans St, next to the A.J. Smith Rec Center, Tecumseh. It runs 2pm–7:30pm on May 30 and admission is free.
RRWC’s event will feature native plant vendors and environment-related organizations for an afternoon of shopping and information sharing — the first event of its kind in Lenawee County. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of native plants and how to incorporate them into their existing landscape. For those who are new to gardening with native plants, Master Gardeners from the Tecumseh Little Garden Club will be on hand to answer questions and help with species selection. Kids’ activities are planned. A Pita Delight food truck will also be onsite.
The next weekend, WCCD, partnering with many other area organizations, will be holding their 6th annual Native Plant Expo & Marketplace at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, on Saturday, June 7, from 9am to 1pm. This is a one-stop shop for native plants and conservation education featuring native plant sales from Michigan-based nurseries; a speakers’ series covering topics like native landscaping and habitat restoration; and a variety of vendors offering services in design, installation, and maintenance of native plant landscapes, pollinator resources, and locally made products. Entry is free for all and includes two free potted milkweed plants — perfect for supporting Monarch butterfly habitat — while supplies last.
“Including native plants in your yard is an effective way to help pollinators and other beneficial insects, and the birds that rely on them for food. It also opens up a whole new palette of plants for experienced gardeners, in contrast to the non-native species we’re used to seeing in garden centers,” Lydia Lopez, RRWC Water Stewardship Coordinator, said.
Find out more about the Native Plant Expo & Marketplace and this year’s vendors, exhibitors, and sponsors at https://washtenawcd.org/native-plant-expo. Find out more about the RRWC’s native plant sale at https://www.riverraisin.org/plant-sale.
Native wildflowers. Photo credit: RRWC.
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