With the arrival of spring, comes the time of year to play in the dirt; planting, growing and harvesting flowers and veggies from spring and summer gardens. The second weekend in April, Crabtree Farms will be holding our 17th Annual Spring Plant Sale & Festival to help gardeners prepare for this exciting season of new growth and bountiful rewards.

The plant sale will be held at Crabtree Farms Friday and Sturday April 7th and 8th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, April 9th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The membe’s only pre-sale will take place Thursday, April 6th from 3 to 6 p.m.

As in previous years, the plant sale offers gardeners healthy, sustainably-grown fruit, vegetable, flower, and herb plant starts for their spring and summer gardens. Hundreds of varieties of plants will be available including over 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, over 25 varieties of peppers, and more than 40 types of herbs.

With the help of invaluable volunteers from the community, Crabtree Farms’ Greenhouse Manager ,Mike Barron, grows and propagates these plant starts on location. By testing specific plant varieties on the farm, Mike can ensure that they are well-suited to grow in the Chattanooga region.

Non-gardening community members will find plenty of fun things to do at the Spring Plant Sale. In addition to free workshops, guests can enjoy live music, food, activities for kids, and handcrafted items from local artisans. There is something for everyone at this lively weekend-long event.

Crabtree Farms accepts cash, Visa or MasterCard, checks, and SNAP (edible plants only). Guest vendors are paid separately. You can find more information on our website, crabtreefarms.org.

We would like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors, without whom great events like the Spring Plant Sale would not be possible. Our sponsors inlcude The Chattanooga Times Free Press, EPB Fiber Optics, Earth Fare, and Lupi’s Pizza Pies.

EXPERT TIP: THE “FULL SUN” MYTHWhen planting your spring and summer garden, Greenhouse Manager, Mike says, “to keep in mind that ‘full sun isn’t necessarily all day sun.’ When a seed packet says that a plant needs ‘full sun,’ it typically means only six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Here in the southeast, we receive 12 to 14 hours of sun in the summer, almost double what your ‘full sun’ plants require.” Mike reminds gardeners that a break from the sun, especially in the afternoon heat, can actually be beneficial to your ‘full sun’ plants.

SPRING PLANT SALE

Greenhouse Manager Mike Barron

Workshops, Music and Activities

MUSIC

Saturday10:30 pm - 12:30 pm - Dynamite Holler

1 pm - 2 pm - Tin Cup Rattlers

Sunday12 pm - 1 pm - Laura Walker & Friends

SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH

10 am - 11 am Flea Market Gardens: Re-purposed Garden Containers

Presenter: Karen Creel

11 am - 12 pm Grassheads Children’s Activity

Presenter: Melanie Mayo

12 pm - 1 pm Techie GardeningPresenter: Howard High Students in

Partnership with TechTown

1 pm - 2 pm Gardening with Essential OilsPresenter: Laura Wasson with doTerra

2 pm - 3 pm Spring Fare: Cooking DemoPresenter: Stefan Austin

SUNDAY, APRIL 9TH

11 am - 12 pm Children’s Story Time

12 pm - 1 pm Starting an OutdoorMushroom Bed

Presenter: Angel Miller, 2 Angels Mushrooms

1 pm - 2 pm Vegetable Gardening Q & A Presenter: Chrissie Plew, Crabtree Farms

Vendors and Food

Farm and Garden 2 Angels Mushrooms

Eden ThistleGarden Chick

Trailhead Nursery

Well-Being

Chattanooga Holistic MedicinedoTerra

Inspire ChiropracticKitchen Whitchen HerbalsMichelle’s Herbal Products

White Ivy FarmFood

+ CoffeeBlue Indian Kombucha (Saturday)

Southern SqweezeSilvera’s Catering & Bakery (Sunday)

Arts and Crafts

Mud Slingers PotteryRummage Sale benefiting Crabtree Farms

Childern’s Face Painting