As all the April showers begin to subside, it’s time to start thinking about May flowers, and plants, and veggies, and herbs. Fortunately, there are many opportunities coming up to get prepared for planting, and support local organizations while you’re at it. If you can’t make these sales, you’ll soon be able to find many local growers at Market at the Square and Champaign Farmers Market.
Allerton Plant Sale Fundraiser
April 29, 5 to 9 p.m.; April 30th, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.; May 1st, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
This weekend, you can find annuals, herbs, veggies, perennials, natives, arranged hanging baskets, and a limited amount of Allerton Bluebells in the main parking lot of Allerton Park and Retreat Center. If you go Friday evening, you’ll find food trucks, live music, and a cash bar as well as a container planting workshop. All proceeds support park programs and maintenance.
Grand Prairie Friends Online Plant Sale
Opens May 1st at 8 a.m.
This is your chance pick up some native plants. You can peruse expected plant list and catalog now, so you’re ready to make your selections when the sale opens. Once you purchase your plants, you’ll receive pick up instructions. Your purchase will support the work the group does for natural spaces in our area.
Common Ground Plant Sale Fundraiser
May 4th, 7:30 a.m. to May 10th, 9 p.m. (during store hours)
The Coop will have tomatoes, succulents, greens, herbs, flowers, and other plants from local farmers for sale. Participating growers include: Delight Flower Farm, Sola Gratia Farm, PrairiErth Farm, and Old Town Flowers. All proceeds will go toward their Food for All program.
May 6-15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sola Gratia Farm
They will have organically grown veggies, herbs, and some perennial fruits, as well as locally sourced flowers from Country Arbors including hanging baskets, potted, perennials and bedding. Sola Gratia donates a portion of what they grow to Eastern Illinois Foodbank, C-U Public Health District, and Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.
C-U Herb Society Annual Herb Sale
May 7th, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) at Lincoln Square Mall
Find a wide variety of herbs and perennials and learn about all things herb from the herb experts. This fundraiser will support book donations to area libraries, mini-grants to schools, and educational public herb gardens at Meadowbrook Park.
Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Party
May 28th, 3 to 5 p.m., Riggs Beer Company
A new native plant business, The Well Fed Caterpillar, will be selling native pollinator plants. You can also sample some locally made mead and of course have a beer or two.
Top photo from Allerton Park and Retreat Center.