As plant sales go, some might say this is the cream of the crop — especially for the home gardener who also wants practical advice from reliable local folks in the know.

The San Diego County Master Gardeners’ fall plant sale, which returns after a four-year hiatus, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado and its adjoining patios. Parking and entry are free.

Shoppers can browse thousands of plants for sale, including cool season vegetables, flowers, drought-tolerant succulents and California natives, unique houseplants, orchids, seeds, and exotic edibles, such as dragon fruit starts. Hundreds of plant varieties will be featured.

Plants have been propagated by Master Gardeners and an effort is being made to keep prices affordable, a spokesperson said. Along with the plant sale, the event will include demonstrations and exhibits on a range of topics: fall planting of vegetables, herbs and fruit trees; new irrigation techniques; how to compost; “good bugs” vs. “bad bugs”; monarch butterflies and milkweed; school gardens; gardens in the community; a flower-arranging class; and a children’s bean-planting booth.

A marketplace will have items for purchase, including handmade birdhouses, succulent-planted pumpkins, garden art, gently used books and a “green elephant” booth. Attendees may also have one hand pruner sharpened free by Master Gardeners trained in tool sharpening.

Certified Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions with specific advice for the local habitat in San Diego County.

A booth dedicated to establishing “Earth Friendly Gardens” will be available to help home gardeners adopt sustainable landscaping practices that are not harmful to humans, native plants, animals or the overall environment. Interrelated principles such as soil nurturing, responsible pest management, wildlife protection, water and energy conservation, waste reduction and the ability to grow healthy food are included in the program.

For more details on how you can establish or certify your own earth-friendly garden, go to mastergardenersd.org/earth-friendly-gardens.

Master Gardeners are selected and trained by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to volunteer in the community, educating home gardeners on tested gardening methods, using research-based information on home horticulture and pest management.

The nonprofit Master Gardener Association of San Diego County supports educational outreach services, including community, school and demonstration gardens and specific programs to help change the way San Diegans garden. The UCCE San Diego County Master Gardener Program was formed in 1983 and has over 350 active volunteers who donate thousands of hours to the community each year.

A free gardening hotline staffed by Master Gardeners is available at (858) 822-6910.

Proceeds from the plant sale will benefit community activities that volunteer Master Gardeners participate in, ranging from school garden projects to sensory experience gardening throughout San Diego County. The program also offers advice on starting and maintaining sustainable community gardens for the benefit of local residents.

For more details on the event, visit mastergardenersd.org/plant-sale.

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