The Mariposa County Resource Conservation District's annual native plant and wildflower seed sale is right around the corner!

This popular event will take place at two county sites in early November--on Saturday, November 5, at the Ag Building at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, and the following Saturday, November 12, at the Coulterville Community Park.  Both sales will open at 8 a.m. and conclude at noon.

Native plants available for purchase, all of them drought-tolerant and water-conserving species, include ponderosa pine, toyon, deer grass, western redbud, flannel bush, California fuchsia, Sulphur-flowered buckwheat, bush lupine, foothill penstemon and a variety of other colorful species adapted to the growing conditions of the central Sierra foothills.  Prices of most species will be $10, except for the flannel bush, priced at $13.

Seed packets offered this year include a foothill-specific wildflower mix, California poppy, narrow-leaved milkweed and showy milkweed.  The MCRCD particularly encourages residents to plant milkweeds, which play a crucial role in the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, noted for its striking coloration and long-distance migrations.

Monarch larvae are totally dependent on milkweeds, their sole food supply during their metamorphosis.  Milkweed habitat loss due to development pressures and climate change over a number of years has put monarch populations at risk.  Planting milkweeds can help sustain their population and contribute to the continued survival of this regal pollinator.

The MCRCD cordially invites all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their home landscaping with attractive, habitat-enriching plants suited for this area.  MCRCD staff and board members will be on hand at both sale locations to provide information, advice and assistance to buyers.

Call (209) 966-3431, ext. 103, or email mariposacountyrcd@gmail.com for more information.

'Click' here to visit the MCRCD website for more information.