Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Incredible Edible Plant Sale (IEPS) has established itself as a cherished spring tradition, attracting plant enthusiasts and community members alike. IEPS supports the UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County (MGAC). MGAC’s mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to grow food and garden sustainably while protecting California's natural resources.

The impact of the IEPS extends beyond the sale itself. Last year, the event generated $27,000, “which directly fuels our programs and initiatives,” according to Lou Astbury, MGAC Master Gardener Volunteer. “This financial support allows us to continue our mission of fostering horticultural education and community engagement, including a special focus on building the Pleasanton Educational Garden.”

The Pleasanton Educational Garden project aims to establish an interactive space for sustainable gardening education. Situated on Laguna Creek Lane, it will offer diverse plantings and hands-on learning opportunities. After its completion, the 1.3 acre garden will be the largest demonstration garden in the Tri-Valley region. “This initiative is poised to enhance the community with vibrant educational experiences,” according to Allyson Greenlon, University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and Urban Ag Coordinator.

Hosted at the Pleasanton Senior Center, the 2024 Incredible Edible Plant Sale will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on April 13 and 14. Each 4-inch, 4-cell, and 6-cell container is priced at $4. Attendees can expect a wide range of offerings, according to officials, including heirloom, cherry, slicers, container, and paste tomato varieties; culinary favorites such as peppers, summer squash such as zucchini, and winter squash such as pumpkin; and an assortment of other vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers.

Several free, 30-minute workshops will be held on both days of the event. The workshops include Beginning Care for your New Plants, Caring for Plants in the Garden, Container Gardening - Vegetables, and Help Your Tomatoes Thrive. Proceeds from the sale will support the community education efforts of the UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County, aligning with its mission to provide the public with UC research-based information on home horticulture, sustainable landscapes, and pest management practices.

For the 2024 sale, dedicated volunteers of MGAC have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to propagate seeds at the Pleasanton Village High School, notes Astbury. “These carefully nurtured seedlings are then transplanted into four-inch pots before finding a temporary home in a specially set-up hoop house at the Pleasanton Senior Center. This meticulous process ensures the availability of high-quality plants for our community while creating an immersive and educational experience for all involved.”

The event last year marked a significant milestone. An impressive 6,800 plants were sold, Astbury says. “More than a successful fundraiser, the IEPS also embodies our commitment to community service, as evidenced by the donation of over one thousand plants to nonprofit school garden programs and community gardens in Alameda County.

For more information about the Incredible Edible Plant Sale and to preview the plants that will be offered, please visit www.acmg.ucanr.edu/plant-sale/plant-sale-catalog.

For more information about the UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County, please visit www.acmg.ucanr.edu.

For more information about the Pleasanton Educational Garden, please visit www.hacienda.org/news-events/hacienda-online/pulse/2023/feature-stories/master-gardener-program-enriches-tri-valley.