Shop for California native plants; recycle plastic pots

Want to help native wildlife thrive? Plant more native plants!

Soon your landscape will be buzzing with native bees and butterflies – as well as attracting many more birds.

One of the best places to find California natives that love growing in Sacramento is the nursery and gardens operated by the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society at Soil Born Farms’ American River Ranch in Rancho Cordova.

This Saturday, April 6, the native plant nursery is hosting an in-person sale. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., shop from the nursery’s hundreds of California natives while also seeing many examples blooming in the adjacent demonstration gardens.

Started in 2007, the nursery depends on volunteers and donations. That includes black plastic pots. During this sale event, the nursery requests that patrons bring their used pots to drop off.

“We love native plants because they bring us closer to nature,” say the organizers. “These plants are very beneficial to the environment and the biodiversity of landscapes, but the plastic pots and trays are certainly not. So what can you do with all those pesky plastic pots? Give them to the SacValley Nursery to reuse.”

The nursery is in particular need of 1-gallon pots. No need to wash them, but please dump out any old dirt or potting soil. The pots will be cleaned and solarized before being reused.

“You can help us with the first step, which is brushing out the insides with a bottle brush,” they add. “Whether you have a few pots or hundreds, we can use them.”

Donation is easy; drop off the old pots next to the nursery’s gate before entering for the sale.

The SacValley CNPS Nursery & Gardens is on the American River Parkway at Soil Born Farms, 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova.

Details (including a plant inventory) and directions: https://www.sacvalleycnps.org/plant-sales/.