There was a time when Carlo and Angie Zarattini just sauntered over to the Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society’s annual plant sale.

The Malabar Drive residents were often early birds at the sale at United Baptist Church, but no worries. The couple didn’t even consider the possibility of a long line of green thumbs wanting the dirt on a wide range of plants.

Oh, how times have changed.

The Zarattinis joined more than 100 other gardening enthusiasts waiting for the society’s Saturday sale to start at 8 a.m.

“It’s getting bigger every year — and better too,” said Carlo.

The sale came just four days after reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder. That operation, and the sling he was wearing, wasn’t about to stop Zarattini from attending.

“No,” said the retired Algoma Steel worker.

“It’s too good. I just the love the selection. They have a great selection — fresh and ready to plant in the ground.”

Betty Comeau heard the buzz about the sale.

That may explain why she was first in line.

“Apparently it’s a big event,” said the Cambrian Carstar office manager.

“I’m looking for a deal.”

The long-time gardener was also keeping her eyes open for rhubarb, hostas or “anything interesting, out of the ordinary.”

“I like to have different things in the garden,” she said.

Sale veteran Sharon Cuddy came prepared.

The manager of research at Group Health Centre brought along her own garden cart to ferry away her prized finds.

The sale gives Cuddy a welcome chance to talk shop with other gardeners and see what’s being grown by other Sault Ste. Marie residents.

“This is a prime opportunity to get hearty plants that will grow in our Northern environment,” she said.

Except for a “10-minute lull”, a steady stream of shoppers kept sale organizer Suzanne Hanna and her approximately 65 volunteers busy throughout the four-hour sale.

Clerks rang up more than 625 sales. Browsers were still showing up after the event had wrapped up.

“It was huge this year,” said Hanna.

“I couldn’t believe the support. We did very, very well.”

The sale’s inventory of shade plants were almost all snapped up. Demand for cannas was”red hot”.

Gardeners, perhaps fearing a dry summer, were also keen to buy plants such as day lilies and sedums with their star-shaped flowers that could thrive with little water and maintenance.

Proceeds will be plowed into society projects throughout the city including the Allard Street Community Garden, a gardening program for children and plantings at public housing projects.

“This is what living is all about,” said Cuddy of her prized pastime.

“You’re nurturing new life in your garden.”

source : www.saultstar.com By Brian Kelly, The Sault Star