Digging up the dirt—Earth Day gardening choices

After April showers, May brings not only flowers, but also vegetables, fruits, trees, and shrubs. For some folks (including this reporter), the differences between annuals and perennials can be confusing. To those who know the difference, as the nights start getting warmer and the soil starts getting softer, this time of year is just paradise. They will be scouting the best locations to buy already-blooming pansies, several varieties of tomatoes, and just a few more herbs than they grew last year. And while many stores in the metro offer organic plants and produce, some do not, so it is a good idea to check with your local co-ops.

As Earth Day draws attention to organic and sustainable growing, here are a few of the environmentally-conscious options for metro-area gardeners and consumers.

Mississippi Market Natural Foods Co-op: Starting May 11, Mississippi Market will sell annuals, perennials, seeds, organic vegetable plants, and tomatoes (which are technically fruits). Their wide selection of organic vegetables features cucumbers and zucchinis, all grown without pesticides, fertilizers, or growth hormones.

Two master gardeners from the University of Minnesota, with expertise in zoology and botany, will be on site starting May 11th to answer questions about growing, how to keep fungus and bugs away from gardens, and any soil concerns. The sale will be held at the Market located at 1810 Randolph Avenue in St. Paul. (Mississippi Market has a second store at 622 Selby Avenue, also in St. Paul.)

Friends School of Minnesota: The Friends’ 18th Annual Plant Sale runs May 11-13 at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. The Friends School will feature a selection of more than 2,000 different flowers and plants. Their 52-page catalog is available at http:www.friendsschoolplantsale.com.

The Friends buy their flowers wholesale, mainly from local growers, but also from locations as far away as California and Florida. This gives them some uncommon flowers for these parts, such as an African flower, Clivia. They keep their prices competitive—though the Clivia sells in other places for as much as $200, the Friends School sells them for $5. Their plants are mainly organic, but some are grown with non-organic fertilizers. The proceeds of the sale go to the Friends School admission fund, which gives scholarships and support to the one-third of their students who receive financial aid.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): For a subscription fee anyone can buy into a farm and receive fresh produce on a weekly basis from local farmers, from June through October. A large variety of organically grown vegetables are offered; and vegetables that store well through winter, such as carrots and potatoes, are offered through November. This year, Minnesota has more CSA farms than ever. Some also sell eggs or turkeys or other farm-grown food.

Selling food by subscription is a great process for the farmers because it gives them a more thorough idea of their prices and finances, which allows them to be better prepared for the upcoming season. In contrast, many farmers have to rely on selling to the wholesale market, which can drive down prices, leave some produce unsold, and some farmers out of luck. Their website offers a full listing of Twin Cities area CSA farms, and foods available for sale.

Seward Co-op in Minneapolis is hosting a CSA information fair April 21.

Urban Earth Co-op: This new venture, located in south Minneapolis, is focusing this year on heirloom seeds, such as chocolate cherry tomatoes, hillbilly tomatoes, coyote tomatoes, Mexican midget tomatoes, peach habanero peppers, and chocolate beauty peppers. Heirloom produce gives tastier, rarer varieties of foods that cannot be found in most produce aisles. Urban Earth is also focused on growing native plants, such as prairie grasses, which generally use less water and are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Urban Earth features organic flowers and a full-service flower shop with worm fertilizers. They offer memberships which give member discounts. Their website shows the wide variety of plants and produce that they offer.

Many other co-ops offer bedding plants and seeds—check your local co-op for times, dates and offerings. May 11-12 is the big kick-off weekend for gardeners, with many garden sales across the Twin Cities.