If lower Wallingford’s big annual event is the July 4th fireworks, upper Wallingford’s could well be Seattle Tilth’s annual Edible Plant Sale.
Thousands of home gardeners will descend upon Meridian Park to pick among 70,000 organically, sustainably, locally grown plant starts. Proceeds from the sale account for 10-15% of Seattle Tilth’s annual revenue.
The Edible Plant Sale is particularly renowned for its selection of tomato plants — more than 50 varieties will be available this year. It’s a good idea to go through the list of available plants in advance to be sure not to miss anything among the throngs.
Seattle Tilth’s site offers a few pointers on the sale:
- Bring Carriers.
Wagons, boxes, plant flats and friends are all helpful ways to help you carry your plants. We will also be selling plastic plant trays or “flats” at the “Buy a Flat” station near the entry for $1.- Pick-up a Wristband in the Morning. A staggered entry system will allow the maximum number of people to enter the sale and keep the entrance flowing smoothly during the busiest times. Beginning at 8 a.m., you can get an appointed time of entry when you pick up a color-coded wristband in the lower field west of the sale entrance in Meridian Park. This will allow you to enjoy the activities in the lower field outside of the sale without needing to wait in line. Busiest times are usually Saturday 9 a.m. until noon and Sunday 9 until 10 a.m. Hot tip: Saturday afternoon and Sunday mid-day and later tend to have no lines and plenty of selection!
- Chow Down & Enjoy Activities in the Lower Field.
Tasty food is being provided by Patty Pan Grill and Mighty O Donuts in the lower field along with other vendors of local goods. Vendors will be selling tools, tees, fruit shrubs, fruit trees, organic fertilizer and more. Enjoy music, gardening presentations and activities for kids and families. Pick up wristbands, Garden to Go plant trays, Seattle Youth Garden Works tomatoes and a map of the sale.- Travel Smart.
GET DIRECTIONS. Carpool, take a bus (#44 or #16), or use other alternative transportation. You can park in the neighborhood around Meridian Park, but it tends to be busy. North of N. 50th St. tends to be less crowded.- Leave the Pooches Home.
Because of the high volume of people at the event, dogs are not allowed in the sale.- Learn More.
Look for plant info on signs, or ask a plant seller. If you have any questions, ask the garden educators at the Seattle Tilth booth.- Stock Up.
Buy a copy of our new book Your Farm in the City or the Maritime NW Garden Guide, seeds, supplies and the Seattle Tilth booth. Cedar Grove compost and potting soil will be available for $6/bag – you can pay at check-out and pick-up your order at the loading zone in the parking lot of the Good Shepherd Center on Sunnyside Ave. N. just south of N. 50th St.
If you want to avoid the crowds but worry you’ll miss out on the choicest selection, here’s advice Seattle Tilth’s Communications & Volunteer Manager, Liza Burke, offered last year:
We will be restocking throughout the day and we also are receiving a final plant delivery on Saturday evening. We tend to run out of hops and some other specific plant varieties (not sure – and it varies each year!), but if people can be a little flexible, we will have an enormous selection (over 50 tomato varieties) and the sale is a great chance to try growing something new.
Volunteers get an invitation to the pre-sale on Friday evening – one of the favorite perks. We still do need some help. Otherwise, the public can purchase tickets to the“Early Bird” Sale for $25 or buy Prepaid Plant Packs.
The sale details:
Sat., May 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sun., May 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Behind the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.
