Spring Plant Sales 2024!
The most wonderful time of the year.
About this time in February, the gardeners of Tucson, Arizona, cannot wait to get back in the dirt. The Tucson winter is short, and has a wonderful growing season complete with some blooms. However, the spring energy with new growth and longer days has us tasting those tomatoes and bursting with anticipation for those wildflower blooms. Desert Primrose Gardens loves plant sales, and here are my personal favorites. Want to shop together? Need something but can’t get to the sales? Feel free to contact me or send me an email.
Desert Survivors, Inc.
Desert Survivors is a non-profit organization that serves Tucson’s adult population with intellectual development disabilities by providing employment and horticultural therapy in a retail nursery for native plants. They host a variety of sales throughout the year, and always have a special selection of rarely cultivated plants set aside for sale days. This year the member’s plant sale begins on March 2, and as a member you receive 20% off on all sale days. Prioritizing the member’s day could help you snag coveted plants before they vanish! The public sale runs March 5-9, and offers a 10% discount.
Tohono Chul
Along with its beautiful gardens to wander and explore, and my favorite garden bistro, Tohono Chul has a great native plant nursery. They also host a few plant sale events throughout the year, along with some very cool weekly activities like “Jazz Under the Stars.” This year the member’s preview sale is March 13, and the public sale is March 16-17. As with most plant sales, if you want a coveted plant, be sure to arrive at the start of the sale! There’s always a line before it opens. For this sale, it is helpful to bring your own wagon. The line to borrow a wagon might slow your plant purchasing progress, although they have systems in place to help. Last year they added a coffee vendor inside the sale, which is a great way to linger when the line is 30 people deep! I always enjoy meeting new plant friends in the line!
Some plant sale finds!
Tucson Organic Gardeners Spring Fair
This is more than a plant sale, it’s a party! At the Tucson Organic Gardener’s Spring Fair, there are speakers, activities, and a variety of vendors selling seeds, plants, and flowers. Plus, I’ll be there with a Q and A booth, selling plants, and have some kid’s activities available. This fair runs on March 16, from 9 am-1 pm at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind.
Pima County Cooperative Extension Sales
Go find your veggie starts at Tucson Village Farm’s Spring Sale!
For the best deals in town, and a wide variety of plants, visit the Master Gardener Plant Sale on April 20 from 8-11 am at the Pima County Extension - 4210 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719. It’s fast and furious, supported by all the Master Gardener volunteers. This year’s featured plant is the Blue Myrtle cactus, a coveted blue hue cactus that does well in Tucson’s climate.
For your vegetable starts, don’t miss the Tucson Village Farm’s Spring Vegetable Plant Sale on March 2, from 8 am-11 am at the Tucson Village Farm site 2201 E Roger Road, Tucson, AZ 85719. Another fast and furious sale with proceeds going back into the mission of serving and educating youth in the community.
Borderlands Nursery And Seed
If you still have more room in your garden by May, then a field trip to Patagonia, AZ, is in order. It’s a beautiful drive out to Borderlands Nursery and Seed Spring Plant Sale on May 4, from 8 am-2 pm. There are always butterflies flitting about, live music, and all the native plant enthusiasts shopping to fill their gardens. 42 San Antonio Road, Patagonia, AZ, 85624.
Borderland’s Nursery and Seed has your pollinator garden needs covered.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait to see you out there, this is such a fun time of year. Now, we’ll have to get these plants in the ground and adjusted before the summer heat arrives! If you need help with getting your new plants in the right location, and cared for so they thrive, please get in touch. You can use this link to request my services, or if you just want to chat about gardening , use the chat or send me a message.
Your best garden friend,
Kathleen Opeka
Owner, Desert Primrose Gardens
