SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Southeast Tech horticulture students have been working nonstop since 8 a.m. for the first day of the annual plant sale.
Students say they sold more plants in half a day than they did in all of last year.
“It’s so fun just seeing all the beds filled,” said first-year horticulture student Emma Dickey. She said: “It was packed when we started, and then it's flying off the shelves and it's so fun to see people really happy with what they've chosen.”
The sale will be held again on Thursday, April 25th from 8am to 6pm at the Ed Wood Horticulture Building.
This year, Southeast Tech will offer perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs, succulents, aloe vera, and hanging “build-your-own” baskets. Potted plants cost $4 to $8, and hanging baskets cost $15.
“I'm a big fan of petunias,'' Dickie says. “It's an annual, blooming all summer long and is definitely one of my favorites. I had some disco ball petunias this year and was really impressed and very happy with how they turned out. .”
Fellow first-year student Anna Leterato said she was surprised by the number of people who showed up on the first day. She helped people drive all the way from Yankton just for the plants, she said.
“It was like, 'Oh, we're that far along.' That's insane and we're just a university,” Leteras said.
Funds raised from sales go back into the program. In past years, plant sales have brought in $13,000 to $15,000 in revenue for the horticulture department.
This is the 37th year the horticulture department has hosted the event, but it's the first time in recent years that plants may run out after the two-day sale.
“The first year, we lined up the plants and put them outside. The entire greenhouse was filled and some were sold,” said Benjamin Ringling, horticulture technology instructor. “And this year the yield will probably be too low.”
Ringling doubts there will be any plants left after Thursday's sale, but if there is, he plans to keep extra plants on hand for those who forget about the sale. Minnehaha Master Gardeners will also be bringing back some plants for the community garden.
“Anyone who needs vegetables can receive them from the master gardeners,” Ringling said. “This is going to help a lot of low-income people, but luckily it can also be a win-win. We're going to have access to nice-looking tomatoes and peppers and all the vegetables that we sell. Our plants will go to good homes.”
Sophomore Laura Rüttel helped select the plants available for this year's sale based on requests for 2023.
“Last year, we took away a lot of what people expected at plant sales and what needed to be improved around sowing and transplanting times. We've implemented that this year with things like tomatoes and herbs.” said Ruttel.
Ruttel and the other sophomores have been involved with this year's sale since it ended last year. Next year, the current first-year students are planning to take on the challenge of planning a plant sale.
“I'm really excited to put my own spin on what I think we should carry. Definitely more petunias,” Dickey said.
