Gilroy Demonstration Garden is slated to hold its annual plant sale on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For sale are organic vegetable, herb, flower and heirloom seeds and seedlings for your garden in spring or summer.
The garden is located at 7361 W St. between Sixth and Seventh streets in the center of Gilroy. Funds raised from the sales of plants are used to continue programs of support to the community, promoting a healthy lifestyle with the development of programs such as organic gardens and schools of gardening in the school district of Gilroy.
The Gilroy Dispatch had the chance to catch up with Gilroy Demonstration Garden Manager Brenden Zimmer. Here’s what he had to say about the event:
Dispatch: What’s new at the Gilroy Demonstration Garden?
Zimmer: We are planting seeds for our summer and fall crops at the moment. Those plant starts will be used in our vegetable garden, sold at our annual plant sale and given away to volunteers to take home for their efforts.
Dispatch: How much is raised annually through this effort, on average?
Zimmer: We typically raise around $750 or the average price of three months water usage.
Dispatch: On the scale of things, how important is this event to your group and why?
Zimmer: It is important to our group because it remains our second-largest fundraiser that we host, right behind our annual farm to table dinner in fall.
Dispatch: What cool things can people look forward to at the garden after the ribbon-cutting?
Zimmer: At the event we will be mostly focusing on helping the community pick and choose which plants we are selling would work best for their growing environment at home. On April 19, we will be hosting a garden cleanup, potluck and Earth Day celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A potluck lunch will start at noon. We will be discussing water issues in Gilroy, Santa Clara and California and how we are all affected by the drought.
Dispatch: What kinds of plants are being grown this spring season?
Zimmer: Kale, beets, carrots, peas, swiss chard, spinach, broccoli, radishes, lettuce, kohlrabi and a bunch of different herbs are ready to be eaten right now.
Dispatch: How can the public get involved?
Zimmer: The community is asked to help us maintain our garden on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We offer fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers to volunteers who help out. Those that can not volunteer are still encouraged to come enjoy the beauty of the garden, every day from roughly 9 a.m. to dark. There are many other ways to get involved. For more information, email Brenden Zimmer at Gi***********************@gm***.com.
