It’s raining plant sales this month as community garden clubs kick-off growing season with annual fundraising events.

The first sale, hosted by Greenbank Garden Club, is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21 at Greenbank Farm.

Coupeville Garden Club celebrates its 50th annual plant sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28, selling thousands of garden flowers and vegetable starters, including its specialty of tomatoes and geraniums.

“Every year a committee investigates new tomato varieties and chooses five and six that will ‘survive and thrive’ in our Puget Sound gardens,” said Nora “Chipper” Cromley.

“Five hundred tomato plants have been started from seed including three cherry tomato varieties — Black cherry, Sungold and everyone’s favorite, Sweet Million.”

There’s also five heirloom and hybrid varieties; Black Krim, New Girl, Berkeley Tie Dye, Stupice and Little Napoli, she said.

Additionally more than 400 geranium plants, including ivy geraniums, fancy leaf, calliope, and zonal are available along with annuals and perennials, ferns and succulents.

Its longtime members include Emmi Brigham, who has been with the club 18 years and 14-year-member Laverne Power.

Green thumb clubs have a long history on Whidbey Island in many communities. Most use proceeds from annual plant sales to grow flowers and shrubs in parks, along streets and for other horticulture projects.

The South Whidbey Garden Club started in 1949 with a few members and has grown to 96 members, said Christine Johnson.

“Plant sales have always been an important part of our club,” she said. “The proceeds from the plant sale go back into our local community to help fund horticulture-related beautification projects, student scholarships and educational programs.”

South Whidbey’s April 28 annual plant sale is at Bayview Community Hall this year and coincides with the opening day of Bayview Farmer’s Market.

Whidbey Island Eagles holds its 20th-year plant and garden sale in Langley May 5 while Island County Master Gardener Foundation will be selling its greens May 12 at Greenbank Farm, along with a plant clinic.

Whidbey Island plant sales, garden club information

• Greenbank Garden Club, 10 a.m. to noon, April 21, Greenbank Farm Barn. Club meets 10 a.m to noon, first Thursday, September – June, Greenbank Progressive Clubhouse. Contact: Susan Keppler, 360-678-2929
• Coupeville Garden Club, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 28, Coupeville Rec Hall. Club meets 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., first Thursday, September – May, Coupeville Recreation Center, www.coupevillegardenclub.org Contact: Susan Myers, 360-682-5968
• South Whidbey Garden Club, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 28, Bayview Community Hall. Club meets 9 a.m. to noon, third Friday, September – June, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Clinton. www.southwhidbeygardenclub.com Contact: Christine Johnson 360-221-2203
• Eagles: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, 16691 State Road 525, Langley. Contact: Sally Howard, 360-331-7184
• Island County Master Gardener Foundation, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 12, Greenbank Farm Barn. www.island.wsu.edu Contact: Barb Douglas, 360-632-9697

Ann Wilson tends to flowers in the greenhouse at Coupeville High School that will be sold April 28 during the Coupeville Garden Club’s 50th annual plant sale. Photo by Laura Guido/Whidbey News Group