Spring Plant Sale Festival at the Wylde Center, April 10-12, 2015

As spring approaches, many Atlanta-area gardeners begin to plan their summer gardens. Savvy planters and backyard enthusiasts alike know they can find the best selection of vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and much more at the annual Plant Sale Festival hosted by the Wylde Center at the organization’s Oakhurst Garden, 435 Oakview Road in Decatur (www.wyldecenter.org). This year’s three-day event is presented by Cummin Landscape Supply and will take place Friday-Sunday, April 10-12, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. All of the vegetables have been propagated by the Wylde Center’s horticulture staff, while many of the other plants offered for sale will be provided by local growers and partner organizations. Proceeds from the sale benefit the numerous educational offerings at the Wylde Center and help support the Atlanta non-profit organization’s four public greenspaces.

“Our wonderful volunteers have spent hundreds of hours sowing seeds in the greenhouse and potting up plants for the sale,” said Stephanie Van Parys, executive director of the Wylde Center. “We only offer plants that we know will thrive in Atlanta’s climate, and each plant is well-labeled. Because the Wylde Center’s mission is to inspire communities of environmental stewards, we encourage new gardeners to participate in the sale. There will be plenty of experienced and professional gardeners on hand to answer questions and help you get started. And, members have the opportunity to shop the sale a day before the public, so this is a good time to join the Wylde Center.”

Among the selections available will be summer vegetable transplants including over 80 varieties of tomatoes, half of which are heirloom varieties, 10 eggplant and 30 pepper varieties, over 100 types of culinary and medicinal herbs, okra, beans, soybeans, cucumbers, squash, annual flowers and more. And while there are many plants to choose from, they will be sold on a first-come basis. Gardeners will also have the opportunity to purchase plants on a self-serve basis at the Wylde Center April 14-June 15.

About the Wylde Center

In 1997, an idea took root in the Oakhurst area of Decatur, Ga. Neighbors Sally Wylde and Louise Jackson envisioned a community garden where children could learn about the natural world and enjoy hands-on gardening activities. With the purchase of a half-acre of property at the corner of South McDonough St. and Oakview Road, the Oakhurst Community Garden was born. Today, supported by members, foundations, corporations and donors, the non-profit has been re-named the Wylde Center to honor its co-founder and to better encompass its expanded range of properties and programs. The Wylde Center oversees four distinctive greenspaces, a year-round educational program for all ages, social events and the Decatur City Schools’ Farm to School Program. Staff and volunteers engage children, families and individuals in activities designed to develop creative skills in sustainable urban living, organic gardening, health and nutrition. Despite its robust growth, the Wylde Center has stayed true to its original mission of cultivating vibrant greenspaces for everyone to enjoy and inspiring communities of environmental stewards. www.wyldecenter.org