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“It usually takes about six months to put the plant sale together. We only had about five weeks to prepare, but it’s going to be better than ever,” smiles Jake Kyle, Mendocino College Agriculture Department’s ag technician.

The college’s spring plant sale, not dissimilar to the gardener’s version of Black Friday, was limited to online purchasing for the past two years due to the pandemic. But after putting together a sound safety plan, says Kyle, the students and the plants are excited for the return of the public to the gardens.

This year, says Kyle, the sale will be divided into two weekends – April 22-23 and April 29-30. The Friday sale days will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Saturday hours will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, says Kyle, the department will continue to provide the Shopify online shopping site for those who would prefer to shop from home and pick up their plants – boxed and ready to go.

“The Shopify site will be open beginning May 5th, and pickups may take place from May 9 to May 13, says Kyle.

This year, says Kyle, the department is creating an atmosphere of fun and celebration to welcome back the public to the college.

“We are hosting a whole bunch of vendors and organizations to make the experience extra-enjoyable,” says Kyle. The on-site groups include the Mendocino College Ceramics Club, the Native American Club, Cal Fresh, North Coast Opportunity’s Caring Kitchen, Gardens Project and Food Hub, Taste Buds Restaurant, a marble glass-blowing demonstration, the Mendocino County Native Plant Society, the Ukiah Garden Club, Golden Rule Gardens and representatives from the newly established Blue Zone Project. In addition, the Caring Kitchen will be offering a “smoothie bike” where participants pedal their way to the creation of a mouth-watering smoothie.

“This is a great opportunity to do a little shopping and support our college clubs, get questions about your garden answered by local professionals and enjoy some safe socialization – something we’ve all been waiting for,” smiles Kyle. Social distancing measures will be followed to keep the event fun and stress-free.

Kyle stresses that throughout the pandemic, it has been the tireless labor of Ag Department employees who have propagated, tended, transplanted, pruned and loved the thousands of plants available for sale. Because of the extended two-week sale days, students have grown a larger-than-usual number of vegetables. “We’ve bumped up the quantities of the most popular varieties, and right now, the greenhouse is so full we can barely walk in it,” he notes.

A new greenhouse is almost complete – a project long in the planning stages, now coming to fruition. “This greenhouse is really state-of-the-art and will really increase our capacity to propagate more vegetables,” Kyle continues.

This year marks the fruition of a concerted effort to offer a larger variety of xeriscape plants for low-water gardens. “We have more succulents, agaves, aloes, cacti and yuccas than ever,” says Kyle. A full three rows of succulents and cacti are ready for purchase – many already at a showy size. “Times are changing. We’re promoting these plants because they require next to no water once established and are also both deer and fire-resistant.”

The college continues to focus on a fantastic selection of native plants, bred specifically for the Mendocino County climate. “We have a beautiful Catalina Fuchsia, some great Toyons and a Pink Flowering Current,” says Kyle. “I’m really excited about our Oak Tree selection. We have hundreds of oaks available, which are very appropriate for anyone doing post-fire recovery planting.” Plus, Kyle notes, the oaks are a phenomenal price of $4 each.

“Denise Guzman is one of our worker bees,” Kyle smiles. Guzman was an employee working with the Caring Kitchen, which has garden space at the Ag Department. “Denise began by volunteering, and now she’s one of our valued employees.”

George Hodgeson is part of the Middle College high school project located on the college grounds. “George gets work experience credits for his employment at the college,” Kyle explains. And Jordy Velasquez, a South Valley High School student, was trying to get an internship at the college but was thwarted by the pandemic. “Jordy ended up as essentially a paid intern – an actual employee who’s also taking a plant propagation course.” In addition to teaching the workers the mechanics of the industry, Kyle emphasizes that the pursuit of higher education can significantly increase wages. “For example, a landscape designer makes quite a bit more money than a landscaper.”

In the veggie greenhouse, everything is grown organically. “The only thing we use is our house-made compost tea,” says Kyle. This year, the vegetables are happy and hardy. “Our Greenhouse and Plant Propagation classes helped release green lacewing larvae. I haven’t found a single aphid in the greenhouse.”

Kyle says to expect all the favorite tomatoes, brassicas, peppers, basils, squashes and more. “We grew a new Rainbow Tomato, which looks very promising, and several new types of lettuce that are high-heat tolerant.”

In addition, look for several types of blueberries, including a Pink Lemonade variety, one of Kyle’s favorites, as well as thornless blackberries.

“We’re also going to raffle off succulent and herb bowls created by the Ag Club, and while you’re waiting to check out, people will have an opportunity to watch videos created by the Earth Science Department and vote for their favorite,” Kyle concludes.

Remember that the on-site sale accepts cash or checks only. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with carrying purchases to your vehicle. To access the Shopify site and view some of the plants that will be at the sale, visit the website at https://mendocino-college-agriculture-department.myshopify.com. For more information, phone (707) 468-3148 .

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