A total of 33,470 plants of 33 different species, plus tree tubes and spray-on repellant to protect the seedlings, were sold to 468 pre-sale customers and at least 30 customers who came to Saturday’s walk-up sale. The number of plants sold was up slightly from last year, mimicking the overall economy. No matter how many plants get in the ground due to our annual native plant sale, we are thrilled that the Pierce County landscape will be enhanced for the benefit of its citizens and wildlife.
The sale wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful group of volunteers, some of whom helped for multiple shifts. Their time totaled 151 hours! Thank you to: Anna Maury, Ordella Archer, Jim Anderson, Barb Bourscheidt, Chris Goodman, Gary and Karen Duggins, Trudy Garrison-Cameron, Sharon Fagg, Doug Almlie, Bill Brookreson, Roger Cantrell, Bob and Linda Altig, Taylor and Avery Skaggs, Sylvette Gunderson, Terry Robbins, Chuck Natsuhara, Hermina Soler, Erin McGee, Lindanne Gores, Trish and Maia Willebrand, Rocky Hauge, Helga Vanders, Ann Hirsch, Sherry Oliver, Laura Kingsbury, Norm Dion, Sue Leland, Bill Thurston, Annette Masella, and Mike Viafore. And a special thank you goes out again this year to our plant sale super volunteers John Hilsendeger, Sam Nohra, and Keith Chadd! John and Sam helped unload all the plants and also assisted with bundling plant orders. Keith was here four full days helping to bundle plant orders, organize the orders for pick-up, assist with walk-up sales, and entertain us all! Thank you also to Woodbrook Nursery who was present again this year to sell a variety of potted native trees, shrubs, and emergent plants.
With several reminders sent to pre-order customers, there were only three orders not picked up. Those plants, along with a few remaining plants not sold at the walk-up sale, were donated to the WSU Master Gardener Foundation where they will be put in pots for WSU’s annual plant sale; Friends of Clarks Creek who will use them on restoration projects; Stewardship Partners who will use them in upcoming rain garden installations; and the remainder were given out to attendees of the District’s annual meeting on February 24.
We strive to bring you quality native plant stock at low prices, and hope your plants are doing well and are beginning to put on new growth. Please let us know if you have had any plants that died immediately in spite of your best efforts. We will be happy to give you a coupon for replacement plants at next year’s sale. Remember to make sure and water your plants at least once a week to get them through their first summer.
We look forward to seeing you at the plant sale next year and always look forward to hearing about how your plants are doing from previous sales. Look for the 2011 pre-order forms in the fall edition of the Tahoma View.
