Held on South Hallock Drive on Saturday and Sunday garden lovers were able to purchase plants by some of the most famed growers in the world.
Wheel barrows were supplied and being rapidly filled by the buyers who had lined up and waited well before the official start time of the sale.
The sale even had Master Gardener Nancy Nasalroad on hand to answer questions and help shoppers.
“It is going just dandy,” said Nasalroad Saturday as she eyed the crowd.
“There’ lot of people here and do we have flowers! Lots of new ones,” featured in growers’ trials when introduced to the market before making their way to the sale.
Flowers whether six-packs, small, medium, large or hanging were being snapped up.
As were many varieties of salvia, Nasalroad’s own favorite: “I love salvias and the hanging baskets,” overflowing with gorgeous flowers, ready to hang or even set down on the porch for a touch of glorious color.
“We’re certainly busy,” said Dianne Davis, the founder of the Santa Paula chapter of America in Bloom as more and more shoppers arrived. “But we’ve got cashiers on hand so buyers don’t get backed up.”
“We were swamped this morning,” said volunteer Bob Vogel as he got a wheel barrel for a new customer.
“We have a lot of really nice product,” said Davis who noted that some shoppers had made second trips to the sale for more flowers.
Ginger Gherardi, a Santa Paula City Councilwoman said, “I’m taking and spending money today,” and after making her own purchase was going to go behind the checkout table as a cashier.
Angelique Mendez of the Santa Paula High School Human Services Academy was also a volunteer helping shoppers total their purchases before they visited checkout.
“It’s my first year helping,” she noted as she carefully matched varied prices to the numerous number of plants being taken home by a home gardener.
The fundraiser was accepting cash, checks and credit cards and Larry Cossid probably considered himself a thorn among the roses of fellow helpers Jane Lax, Doreen Pitluk, Sally Cook and Maria Bombara.
Each customer received packets of rich Gromulch courtesy of Heritage Ace Hardware, which was offering shoppers a special coupon on the organic planting mixture when they visited the West Main Street store.
Gary Nasalroad was among the helpers helping customers load their cars with plants.
He was also pleased with the sale turnout, but not surprised: “People recognize the good causes of America in Bloom and Hospice and they’re getting great looking plants at reasonable prices. The sale is AIB’s largest fundraiser,” that allows the group to continue the beautification of Santa Paula and maintain improvements with flowers to the historic Downtown.
Armstrong Growers, Ball Horticulture, Suntory, Holland America and FFA (Future Farmers of America) of Santa Paula High School all donated plants to the Giant Plant Sale that also drew volunteers from Optimists Club of Santa Paula, FFA, SPHS Human Services Academy, Santa Paula Rotary and Armstrong.
