Sept. 2 column

Here is a link to my column in today's edition of The Spokesman-Review: Garden desires.

It's about The Friends of Manito's fall plant sale, which is next Saturday. Their plant sales are always a good time because they have all sorts of fantastic perennials, shrubs, vines, bulbs and ornamental grasses. What I like about them is that all of the proceeds from the sale go right back into improvements at Manito Park.

I've been a member of TFM for a long time now. It's economical and I like being able to support our community's beautiful park. And the best benefit of being a member is that you get into the sale early (between 8 and 10 a.m.) instead of having to wait for 10 a.m. when the general public gets in. That's a deal!

There will be a lot of free lectures and demonstrations on all sorts of gardening topics so be sure to check those out as well. And if you make up your wish list ahead of time, that will make things even easier on you. The plants are grouped by their type (i.e., "Sun," "Shade") and within those groups, they're placed on the sales tables in alphabetical order by their Latin name. That makes finding specific plants much easier!

For the first time ever, they will be selling bulbs that you'll plant now for next spring and summer's blooms. I know it's hard to think ahead of time like that but just think how pleased you'll be to see pretty blossoms after our long winter.

The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday (Sept. 8). For a list and the times of the lectures, as well as a complete list of plants that will be available, go to www.thefriendsofmanito.org
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