Sentinel staff report–
The Sylvan Ranch Community Garden in Citrus Heights will host its annual spring plant sale fundraiser this Thursday through Saturday, with social distancing policies in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Update: As of Friday afternoon, an organizer said the plant sale had already sold out, due to increased demand. The sale will not be taking place on Saturday.
The plant sale will be held at the garden’s location at Sylvan and Stock Ranch roads from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 2-4. Plants for sale will include tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, a variety of peppers, melons, and pumpkins. Herbs, flowers, and succulents will also be available for purchase.
Debbie Levon, who helps put on the plant sale each year, said Wednesday that organizers had debated about whether to cancel or postpone the sale this year, but a decision was made to move forward and set up tables in a way to keep customers a safe distance apart.
Levon said there has been increased demand for gardening by those who are at home during shelter-in-place health orders, and people have been stopping by the garden to inquire about the sale.
The annual plant sale serves as the main fundraiser for the nonprofit garden, which was founded in 2009, with sponsorship from the city. The garden is now required to be self-sufficient and relies on membership fees and fundraisers to help maintain and improve the location each year.
Gardeners can grow and harvest their vegetables in an assigned 4 x 20-foot plot for a small annual membership fee. Other membership levels are available at a discounted cost and allow for harvesting from “common areas” and attending the garden’s educational seminars.
Any plants remaining after the sale are typically grown in a special section of the garden to help provide donations of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, based in Citrus Heights at Advent Lutheran Church.
Those interested in learning more about the garden can visit www.sylvanranchgarden.org.