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NOTE: In response to the rapidly spreading Jumping Worm infestation across Massachusetts, Club members will take the extra precaution of bare-rooting plants dug from their yard. We will remove the soil from the roots, rinse the roots and then place the plant in a sterile potting medium as a precaution to minimize the spread of Jumping Worms. More information on Jumping Worms will be at the sale. You can also see information in our "Garden Talk" section below.
Sharing plants from your garden? Please use these techniques to bare-root your plants to join us in helping to prevent the spread of jumping worms.
Horticultural Education Booth with Free Soil Testing!
The Massachusetts Master Gardener Association’s (MMGA) trained volunteers will staff a horticultural education booth at the Plant Sale. They will help answer visitor’s questions and queries about the Master Gardener organization. If you have a plant problem or garden design issue, please bring photos or other pertinent information to aid the discussion!
Free soil pH testing by The MMGA will also be offered at the Plant Sale. One of the most important components of a healthy garden is good soil. pH (a numeric score indicating soil acidity or alkalinity) is one measure of soil health. When pH is too low or too high, plants cannot access needed nutrients which may already be present in the soil, negatively impacting plant performance.
Is your grass doing poorly because it needs more nitrogen or because it needs lime to reduce the soil's acidity? How about your garden/flower beds? Whether you are an organic or nonorganic gardener, a soil test is an easy and inexpensive way to help make certain your soil is in good shape for whatever you want to grow in your lawn and gardens. And soil tests can save you money.
Different plants have different pH requirements; in addition to their pH results, event participants will receive a 2-page fact sheet listing the optimum pH for over 200 plants. For participants who need to adjust their pH, we will be providing a sheet of suggestions for the use of limestone (to raise) and sulfur (to lower) readings.
If test results indicate the need for a more comprehensive soil test, we will provide information on services offered by the UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab.
Taking a soil sample for pH testing is easy! Click here for or details on preparing soil samples for pH testing.