Living Local: Get Your Garden On

I've enjoyed my patio garden so much that I'm planning to expand.  I'm adding a second Earthbox to grow tomatoes and am seriously considering a couple of citrus trees for the patio.  I'm even buying an Earthbox for my nephew because he said he wanted to grow carrots and I want to do everything I can to encourage that interest.

Fortunately, I have plenty of help as I prepare to plant for the spring.  There are a number of upcoming community plant sales where you can buy plants, learn more about gardening and support great organizations. If you are thinking about starting a garden, the community plant sales are a great way to get started.  I bought my first herbs a few years ago when my friend Sandy took me to the Sunshine Community Garden sale and have been adding to the collection every since.

Following are a few of the upcoming plant sales.  If you know of other upcoming sales that support a great cause, please add them to the comments.



Sunshine Community Garden Plant Sale, Saturday March 6th,  9 am to 2 pm, 4814 Sunshine Drive, just north of 45th St., west of Lamar, by the Health Department and School for the Blind.  Admission is free.  The plant sale offers vegetable and herb plants including hard to find heirloom varieties.  You can also buy flowers and ornamentals.



Johnson's Backyard Garden Heirloom Transplant Sale, Saturdays March 6th, 13th and 20th, 10 am to 2 pm,9515 Hergotz Lane.  They have 36 varieties of organic heirloom tomatoes, squash, melons, peppers and eggplant available. Transplants are available in 4" pots for $3 or a 6-pack for $10.



East Austin Garden Fair - Saturday March 20th, 10 am - 4 pm, Govalle Park, 5200 Bolm Rd. This free public gardening event will feature hands-on demonstrations of how to double dig a garden bed, make a self-watering container garden, grow plants from cuttings, and many more gardening tips. Come for the free advice from experts, and fun educational activities for kids, with bugs, bugs, and more bugs!



Zilker Garden Festival 2010, Saturday March 27 & Sunday March 28, 10am - 5pm daily, $5 Adults, $3 Children (3-12 yrs.), Parking $3. Plan to arrive early and bring your wagon. Shop with vendors selling plants, garden-themed arts and crafts, pottery, and unique jewelry. Also offering live music, gardening talk, the annual Flower Show, and always fun Kids Corner.