It’s planting time: Where to buy annuals, perennials, veggies and more

Perennials or annuals? Tomatoes, zucchinis or both? These are some of the questions that Kendall County area residents are likely asking themselves now that spring, at long last, has arrived and it’s finally time to get outdoors and plant flowers and vegetable gardens.

Fortunately, area residents with a passion to get out the hand trowels, bulb planters and watering cans once again have their pick of benefit plant sales this month. Here is a rundown on several sales coming up in the Kendall County area over the next week or two:

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Join the Kendall County Master Gardeners on Saturday, May 20, and pick out prime plants and pick up helpful hints, all for your garden.

The annual Kendall County Master Gardener Plant Sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension office at 7775B Illinois Route 47 in Yorkville.

Master Gardeners will provide free presentations and demonstrations on popular home gardening topics, including:

• 10 a.m. – “Propagating Cacti and Succulents” with Pat Hambly of Yorkville

• 10:30 a.m. – “What to do with all that Zucchini” with Nann Armstrong of Oswego

• 11 a.m. – “Herb Container Gardening” with Gloria White of Oswego

The sale portion will include native, perennial, herb and vegetable plants. The Master Gardener volunteers started more than 500 seedlings, including 11 varieties of tomatoes and 8 pepper varieties. There also will be gently used gardening books for sale.

The University of Illinois Extension office is located just one mile south of the intersection of Route 71 and Route 47. In case of rain, the sale will be Sunday, May 21.

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The Hilltop Gardeners’ annual plant sale will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at Fox Bend Golf Course, 3516 Route 34 in Oswego, inside the Pavilion tent. This is the 51st year of the plant sale.

They will be selling perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and flowers baskets, ideal for Mother’s Day. The sale also includes “garden treasures,” an entire area full of useful, eclectic or repurposed garden themed items. The bake sale will have made-from-scratch home-baked desserts and their much sought after pies.

This year's raffle prizes include a handmade wall or lap quilt, donated by Agnes Beauregard of Texas, a rain barrel with fleece storage bag that was hand-painted by local artist Mando Venegas, and a large flowering shrub. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased from Esther Jamison at ejamison2@comcast.net or 630-212-6842. Winners do not need to be present at the plant sale to win. There also will be door prizes drawn throughout the day.

The plant sale is the club’s only fundraiser and proceeds are used on many beautification projects in the area and on educational opportunities for Oswegoland. More information about Hilltop Gardeners is available by calling Diane at 630-551-1970, or on their Facebook page.

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The Newark Garden Club perennial plant sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to noon or earlier if plants sell out. The sale will be set up in the Newark BP Station parking lot, Route 71 in Newark.

A variety of hostas, iris, daylillies, coral bells, phlox, cannas and more will be available. These plants come from club members’ gardens and they will be on hand to answer questions and give advice.

This is a great opportunity to purchase quality plants at reasonable prices.

Proceeds from the sale go toward the Fourth of July container contest, free raffle and the Winter Walk free raffle and face painter. The club also maintains the small garden in the downtown park.

For information, call 815-695-5384 or 815-695-5724.

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The 21st annual Seeds and Weeds Horticulture Club Plant Sale will be on Saturday, June 3, at the Somonauk Public Library, 700 E. LaSalle St., Somonauk. Sale hours begin at 8 a.m. and will conclude 2 p.m., rain or shine.

All plants come from the personal gardens of club members and from some generous gardeners who shared their plants. It is important to separate plants for vigorous growth and abundant flowers.

This sale will feature perennials, annuals, grasses, herbs, vegetables, fruits and houseplants, all very reasonably priced and generous in size.

Anyone planning a new garden or landscaping, especially new homeowners, this is a chance to fill your garden at minimal cost. Master gardeners who can answer all your planting questions will be available.

The Seeds and Weeds Horticulture Club, started in 1995, is truly a gardener’s delight. Currently, members are from six surrounding communities.

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Rosary High School's Sports Boosters will host its annual plant sale May 19-20 at Schafer's Greenhouse, 120 S. Lake St. in Montgomery. Hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Choose from a variety of hanging baskets, decorative bowls, bedding plants, perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, grasses and planters. Gift certificates are also available. Proceeds benefit Rosary's athletic programs. For a list of items and prices, visit rosaryhs.com/plant_sale.

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Joliet Junior College Greenhouse spring garden plant sale runs through June 16. Joliet Junior College is located at 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet. The greenhouses are located on the west side of Houbolt Road, just south of the college exit road. Only cash and checks are accepted.

Greenhouse hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Customers wearing inappropriate footwear (examples: flip flops, crocs) will not be allowed in the greenhouses due to safety concerns. Strollers must be left outside and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information, contact Caryn Genens, greenhouse manager, at 815-280-2359 or cgenens@jjc.edu.