Annual Plant Sale May 7th to benefit Master Gardeners and youth in NORCOR custody
“We love working with the kids at NORCOR. We absolutely love it.” -Marilyn Richardson, Master Gardener.
By Cole Goodwin
Wasco County Master Gardeners will host their annual Plant Sale on May 7th, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Dalles City Park on 5th and Union Street in The Dalles.
Plants for sale will include flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
The plants for sale are grown by master gardeners and youth at the NORCOR juvenile detention facility. The greenhouse program provides hands-on educational gardening experience for incarcerated youth and has been ongoing for at least fifteen years.
“We love working with the kids at NORCOR. We absolutely love it,” said Marilyn Richardson, former President of the Master Gardeners who now heads up the Master Gardener’s side of the juvenile greenhouse program for the incarcerated youth at NORCOR.
“And they love it to. They love getting their hands dirty. They love getting to mix soil, and plant, and we were tying up tomatoes the other day and they were loving that. They seem to love being hands on with the plants. And they are all very polite, helpful and just wonderful. We just love working with those kids.” said Richardson.
Proceeds from the plant sale will be split between the Master Gardener’s program and the NORCOR juvenile detentional facility greenhouse program.
“We use the proceeds to maintain the Imagination garden, our plant clinics, classes, and our half of the greenhouse program.” said Nancy Lingo, Master Gardener.
The plant sale will also boast eight plant, food, craft, and art booths. Including a booth by Humble Roots nursery which specializes in native plants.
A plant clinic will also be available at the event. People can bring their sick plants, or questions about garden and bug issues to get their situation diagnosed by a Master Gardener.
How do you become a master gardener?
Master Gardeners must attend an eight week class series and fulfill volunteer and community service requirements to gain their Master Gardener status.
For more information on how to become a master gardener click here.
