On an unseasonably warm day in March, over 800 people enjoyed Whatcom Conservation District’s 31st Annual Native Plant Sale & Celebration! Smiles were abundant in Ferndale’s Pioneer Park, as people from across Whatcom County and beyond came to purchase native plants and get excited about spring projects. Additionally, over 400 people pre-ordered plants for pick up March 15th, at Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s campus near Bellingham.  

In total over 34,000 native plants were sold, and we cannot wait to see the new native landscaping and habitat restoration across the county. The native plants planted from this event will provide year-round colorful attractive landscaping, help filter run off, save water by requiring less irrigation, provide habitat, and attract native pollinators and wildlife. 

The excitement for spring was palpable as a line began to form around the block the morning of the March 16th in-person sale and celebration. Everyone who attended was greeted by smiling staff and cheerful vendors, before perusing the large selection of native plants. After purchasing, they explored the booths of community exhibitors. Twelve booths with experts from across the county with their dynamic displays were there to provide information and education. From native plant experts, to beekeepers, to conservation organization, there was something of interest for everyone! Kids enjoyed games, free plants, and hands on activities. Several local plant nurseries and one selling garden art were also there adding to the plant purchasing opportunities and garden beautification.   

New this year was the addition of a spacious tent which vastly increased space for shopping and customers. Also new for 2024 were shopping buckets for each visitor with a compostable bag insert to make shopping easier while also ensuring the plant roots are protected during transport. Both of these improvements were well appreciated by shoppers. 

If you missed out this year, we will be hosting another Native Plant Sale in 2025. Sign up for our monthly E-News to be the first to learn when the 2025 sale begins. If you wish you could have volunteered this year for any of our events, our volunteer sign up form will ensure you are connected.  

Looking for more information on the plants you ordered? See this Plant Description Sheet and click on each species for detailed descriptions!  To improve plant viability, this guide is helpful.  Happy Planting! 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for either event and purchased native plants for their landscape! Thank you to the City of Ferndale for hosting the in-person sale at Pioneer Park. Thank you to Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association for allowing us to use your beautiful campus for our pick-up event. Thank you Washington Conservation Corps members, sponsored by Whatcom County and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, for helping to package and load plants. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, including the volunteers from Washington Native Plant Society Koma Kulshan Chapter, WSU Whatcom Extension Master Gardeners and Ferndale Rotary club. Thank you Fourth Corner Nursery for donating plants for kids. Thank you to the vendors and exhibitors who joined us for the in-person sale and celebration: Tuxedo Garden, Whatcom County Noxious Weed Program, Washington Native Plant Society, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Whatcom Land Trust, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Salish Seed Guild, Whatcom County Public Works, Namaste Gardens, Mt. Baker Beekeepers, Washington State Department of Agriculture – Northern Giant Hornets, Plantas nativa,  Freeborn Metal Art 

For more details about our Annual Native Plant Sale, visit our website at: www.whatcomcd.org/plant-sale 

Timelapse of the first few visitors shopping under our big event tent!!