From Wasco County SWCD:
By Samantha Filbin
The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 5, 2026 — Gardeners are increasingly utilizing native plants in creating beautiful landscapes that support biodiversity, conserve water, and thrive without fertilizers and pesticides. With native plant landscapes, gardeners are able to have a meaningful impact on habitat and species loss while enjoying an attractive, more economical landscape.—The Pacific Northwest Native Plant Primer by Kristin Currin and Andrew Merrit
If you want to learn more about how to garden with native plants, this Saturday offers a low-cost way to start. This November 7th, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is holding its second annual fall native plant sale. The plants come in gallon-sized pots, with prices ranging from $5-$6.50.
“In fall, potted plants seem to do better than the native, bare-root plants we sell in the spring,” notes Samantha Filbin, who is organizing the 2026/2027 plant sales for Wasco County SWCD. “They cost a little more, but the extra cost is more likely to pay off.” This year’s fall plants come from a more local source than the bare root plants; the SWCD hopes to continue to coordinate more with local nurseries. That helps support SWCD’s commitment to choosing plants that are more likely to thrive here. Limited quantities of a range of varieties are available, such as vine maples, serviceberry, snowberry, grand fir, Pacific ninebark, and more. To see what’s available, check the SWCD’s website: Fall 2026 plant sale www.wascoswcd.org/2026-fall-plant- sale (note: one exception to the available plant list: due to availability issues, crabapple has been substituted for black hawthorn).
We welcome suggestions for plants to offer at the spring bare root sale and next fall’s sale,” Filbin says. “I’m still new at this, and am open to your feedback.” If you’re interested in buying SWCD plants in the future, watch their website or sign up for their Groundwork newsletter. Spring bare root orders start later this month and can be placed through to February 15th, 2027, while supplies last. The pickup day for next year’s spring bare root plants will be in March 2027.
Plants for this fall sale, however, will not be sold prior to the day or time of the sale, Saturday, November 7 th from 9 am – 3 pm, at Wasco County SWCD at 2325 River Road, The Dalles. Plant buyers will receive a raffle ticket for a gift basket supplied by Wasco SWCD; the winner will be contacted after the sale.
For questions or feedback regarding Wasco SWCD’s plant sales, contact the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at 541-296-6178. The plant sales support the Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District mission—to work cooperatively with others to promote and encourage conservation and wise use of natural resources.
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