This was originally posted to: Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee

Native Plant Sale: Plan Now for Spring Planting

Native Plant Sale: Plan Now for Spring Planting

At the Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee Annual meeting islanders learned about protecting and restoring our shorelines with native plants. We have been inspired by the past efforts of Roz Glasser and Marianne Kooiman working through the Guemes Island Environmental Trust and the Guemes Island Property Owners Association.

This year GIPAC volunteers would like to make native trees, shrubs, and ground covers from the Snohomish Conservation District available to you in bulk quantities at reasonable prices.  

Please look at the catalog at www.theplantsale.org and let us know what you would like to order! We will combine individual orders, make a single payment and bring the plants to Guemes Island. If you are interested in participating in the group order, please contact Marianne Kooiman at 293-5815 or eyrie@cnw.com with a list of the plants and amounts you would like. You will notice that the bare-root trees and shrubs come in bundles of 5, 10, or even 25.  By doing a group order we may be able to split the larger bundles.

Native plants have evolved over time for a specific region and provide food, cover, and nesting sites for wildlife in the form of seeds, nectar, pollen, sap and foliage.  Once established, they will not require water or fertilizer.  Natives attract more birds, bees, and butterflies for us to enjoy.  They are, however, not deer-proof, so some fencing or spraying with non-toxic egg-based deterrent is in order.

You may make checks payable to Marianne Kooiman, PO Box 541, Anacortes.  There is no minimum order, but orders must be received by January 25, 2017.  You will be notified when your plants arrive in mid-February.