Spring Plant Sale Just Around the Corner!

Each spring, both the students and employees of the Mendocino College Horticulture Department host their annual extensive plant sale, continuing the tradition this year as well.

Jake Kyle, an agricultural technician at the college, mentions that the upcoming Spring Plant Sale, scheduled for April 25th and 27th, will feature a wider variety of annual flowers grown in a brand-new greenhouse filled with spring plants and succulents. Similar to previous years, they’ve raised additional vegetable and herb seedlings to cater to buyers visiting on both days. “Our aim is to ensure that everybody can get their hands on zucchinis and lemon cucumbers,” says Kyle with a smile.

More than 150 types of vegetables will be for sale, featuring options like artichokes, chives, cucumbers, eggplants, gourds, lettuces, melons, mustard greens, okras, peppers, pumpkins, spinach, squashes, tomatoes, and tomatillos. Among them, twenty-eight kinds of tomatoes can be found—ranging from popular choices such as Supersweet 100 and Ace 55 to rarer ones like the Japanese Black Trifele and Green Zebra. Additionally, visitors will have access to over thirty pepper varieties—from mild selections such as the California Wonder sweet pepper to spicier alternatives like habaneros, Thai Hots, cayennes, and even the intensely hot Carolina Reapers.

The herbal selections consist of anise, borage, fennel, calendula, cilantro, dill, Greek oregano, parsley, Stevia, summer savory, tarragon, and thyme.

“We continue to grow all of the edible plants using only organic soil and the college’s compost tea recipe,” notes Kyle.

Due to the significant interest, the college has boosted the quantity of annual flowers and succulents available at this year’s sale. Among them are popular choices such as marigolds, nasturtiums, salvias, snapdragons, sunflowers, and zinnias. Additionally, their selection of cacti and agave plants continues to grow. They have successfully cultivated numerous specimens including various types of yucca, agave, red-hot pokers, snake plants, and more—species well-suited for adapting gardens amid shifting climate conditions.

Keep in mind when planting succulents to create a small hill for them, raised above the surface,” advises Kyle. He emphasizes their success depends greatly on proper drainage. Additionally, he mentions his standard mixture involves combining equal parts soil and compost, all placed within a hole that’s at minimum twice as large as the pot they come in.

The institution has put significant effort into compiling an extensive roster of more than 80 native Californian flora species that thrive in the regional weather conditions. This collection ranges from towering trees such as the California Buckeye to the charming Mock Orange, offering a wide variety for cultivation.

At the sale, the most extensive selection consists of perennials, offering around 175 different types of plants. Among them are numerous blooming options such as butterfly bushes, lavenders, salvias, bee balms, columbines, and others.

“We’re now providing an assortment of indoor plants for the very first time, grown by our Horticultural Club. The funds raised from these plant sales will go towards supporting their activities,” explains Kyle. Among them are varieties such as Peperomia, Philodendron ‘Shangdu,’ Trailing Jade, and Pink Rubber Plants.

The Agriculture Department is financially independent, with funds generated from the plant sale covering expenses ranging from facility maintenance to buying seeds and soil needed for future sales.

This year, the students cultivated substantial amounts of milkweed plants known for attracting butterflies. These natives from the Midwest feature yellow blooms and are distinctive as they enable Monarch butterflies to undergo their full lifecycle on the plant.

“We simply couldn’t have made this sale happen without our student workers,” states Kyle. Each semester, the department hires multiple students. “These students get trained in all aspects of gardening and landscaping such as irrigation, sowing seeds, pruning, propagating, and upkeep,” he adds. Furthermore, pupils from South Valley High School are doing internships at the college.

Pablo Vizcaino is a senior at South Valley University. He’s completing his second semester as an internship student at the college. “I’m enrolled in a landscaping course and aiming to join a landscaping firm,” explains Vizcaino. “This opportunity has allowed me to master pruning and trimming methods while gaining valuable hands-on experience. In the previous academic year, our team installed rocks using compactors and constructed a decorative water feature. I plan to enroll in another class here next term before entering the workforce,” he adds cheerfully.

“We hope Pablo stays with us,” smiles Kyle.

Shandy Lane is in her second semester at the college. As a student at South Valley Junior College, she is enrolled in Plant Identification. “My aspiration is to delve into biochemistry,” she shares, explaining further, “I want to explore new methods for producing eco-friendly materials.” She also mentions how much she enjoys being outside, saying, “There’s something about being out in nature among living organisms that makes it difficult to feel frustrated or annoyed.”

A portion of the revenue generated from this year’s sales will contribute towards finishing the renovation of the kiwi arbor within the horticulture gardens—a delightful spot for leisurely strolls during your visit. Additionally, as part of their efforts, volunteers planted 33,000 plugs of various grass species along an urgent-access route at a local educational institution. Engaging in initiatives such as these arbors provides students practical exposure to landscaping work environments. Given his robust foundation in construction, Derrick Romine, now in his third year, took charge under faculty guidance. “We’re turning it into our very own small version of the Taj Mahal,” remarks Kyle cheerfully. Adds Romine, “This venture has indeed been quite enjoyable and one which I can picture pursuing further down my career path.”

Employees will be available to address inquiries and assist with moving plants to your vehicle. Parking space is scarce, along with carts for transporting your buys back to your car. It’s recommended that those bringing a cart clearly mark it. Numerous college groups and regional plant associations will also attend the event.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. “Kindly keep in mind,” Kyle adds, “that payment for this event can only be made with cash or checks.” More details are available at

https://www.mendocino.edu/events/spring-plant-sale-4

or phone (707) 468-3148.