The Fall 2026 Native Plant Sale will be here in a flash—on the first weekend in October! That’s Friday, October 2, from 9 AM to 4 PM, and Saturday, October 3, from 9 AM to 2 PM. Mark your calendars and dream big for supporting California’s diverse bees, moths, butterflies, and birds!
We also have a members-only pre-sale on the Thursday before the general sale opens: October 1 from 4 to 6 PM. Bring something to show you are currently a member, such as a recent Flora magazine with your name and address on it. Or you can join on the spot!
One of the best things about being involved in the Shasta Chapter native nursery is experiencing the seasons in new ways. Each species we grow goes through seasonal changes of their own and nursery volunteers have front row seats to appreciate all of that.
Among the most refreshing changes is the autumn growth surge, something many people might not have noticed. But, for plantings of native species – even those that are regularly irrigated over the summer – the pace of growth quickens when afternoon temperatures begin to come down from summertime highs. This makes September like a second spring. By the Fall Sale weekend, our plants are at an optimum size to plant at your home where they will continue to grow and become established in their new digs throughout October.
A special charm of living in Redding is our mild winter. Our evergreens, such as toyon, coffeeberry, and several species of California lilac and manzanita will continue to grow over the winter. This is how the various species of Ceanothus (California lilac) and Arctostaphylos (manzanita) can bloom as early as late-January in some years. Winter is prime time for these California evergreens. Perhaps we’ve all seen hummingbirds visiting manzanita flowers in the foothills in late-January. It can happen in your landscape as well!
Plan to plant.
Take advantage of the assistance on www.Calscape.org, a website devoted to answering native gardening questions created by the California Native Plant Society. And if you have further questions, send them to shastachapter@gmail.com. It’s a busy time, but I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Also take advantage of the multiple native nursery sales in town on the first weekend in October. It’s simply the best time to plant natives! California is a hot spot for plant diversity. Each of the native nurseries in Redding, no matter how hard we work at it, can only provide a small fraction of the thousands of plant species that are native to California. But together we provide more of that California floral diversity to the public. So, plan on visiting more than one native plant nursery on October 2-3 to expand the variety of your garden to the max this fall.
Find more of your favorites on our Species Availability List.
Nursery sales support Shasta Chapter’s scholarship program for eligible biology and botany students enrolling in 4-year college. Proceeds may also become Acorn or Oak Grants to local schools and community groups for establishing native plant gardens.
Our nursery is one hundred percent volunteer operated. New and returning volunteers are always welcome. In September, there will be a Sunday morning session from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It’s the last few weeks before the Fall Sale and there is plenty to do. Come join us! Drop an email to shastacnps@gmail.com to say you’re coming or ask a question.
See you in the Nursery and at the Fall Sale!
~MaryAnn McCrary, Volunteer Nursery Manager
Seeking Volunteers for the Fall Plant Sale
If you would like to volunteer to run the table at the fall plant sale, please email shastacnps@gmail.com, or visit THIS LINK to sign up, thank you!
