Time to Get Your Garden Growing

The May Market at Phipps Conservatory in Oakland is the largest seedling sale of the season.

Photo by Paul G. Wiegman
 

The May Market, one of my favorite yearly garden-related events, runs today and tomorrow at the Phipps Conservatory in Oakland. If you’re an avid or budding gardener, or even you’re simply curious about growing a couple of plants this year, I suggest that you make your way to the market to meet some of the vendors.

“I never thought I’d be excited about selling plants. But the enthusiasm and energy from the public at the May Market is really intense. It’s a huge party,” says Chris Brittenburg of Who Cooks for You? Farm in New Bethlehem.

Who Cooks For You? is one of over 50 farmers, arborists, florists and other growers who will be vending at the market, which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“It’s like a holiday. It’s the time of the year when we get to talk about how everything grows and now just what to do with the end product. People are really seeking your advice and suggestions,” says Brittenburg.

That’s part of the fun of the market. Novice gardeners can leave the market feeling confident that they’ll at the very least know how to get their plants off to a strong start, and experts are certain to find new varieties to experiment with in their 2016 gardens.

“From our end, it’s nice to support people who are interested in growing their own food,” says Brittenburg.