Edible Plant Sale Returns With in-Person Shopping at Rainier Beach

Seattle, Washington -- Seattle gardeners and green thumb enthusiasts can cultivate spring and summer garden aspirations with one of the region’s largest, and longest-running edible plant sales. Now in its 38th year, Tilth Alliance’s Edible Plant Sale will kick-off the growing season with the return of in-person shopping, May 7-14 at Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands. 

Offering one of the most comprehensive selections of organically and sustainably grown plant starts in Puget Sound sourced from local farms and growers, the weeklong sale benefits Tilth Alliance's work in community with Washington farmers, gardeners, and eaters to build a sustainable, healthy, and equitable food future. The return to in-person shopping will require advance reservations, with a limited number of shoppers at any time.

“We’re thrilled to have in-person shopping return,” says Laura Matter, Natural Yard Care Program Director for Tilth Alliance. “This sale has truly established itself as a rite of spring in Seattle and has been instrumental in helping thousands of individuals and families in growing their own food.

We love sharing these plants and our knowledge with all our communities and neighbors. We know how important it is for everyone to have access to healthy, affordable food and we’re proud to host an event that not only supports local farmers but provides families in the Seattle region with quality, sustainably grown plant starts to create and expand their ‘victory gardens’ at home.”

This year’s sale will have more garden “stars” than ever, says Matter, selected as the best varieties to grow successfully in our mild, marine climate here in the Pacific Northwest. Not only will shoppers be able to browse an impressive selection of fruit and vegetable starts, but they'll also find over 70 varieties of organic tomatoes and 30 types of peppers including heirloom varieties.

There’s also an extensive selection of culinary herbs and edible flowers for the home cook, plus pollinator plants and gardening supplies to help maximize the harvest year-round. New gardeners will also be well-equipped with plenty of easy to grow plants to choose from, and Tilth Alliance’s Garden educators helping them choose the best plants for their garden.

How to Shop the Sale:

This year the Edible Plant Sale is pivoting to an online registration system open to the public on Monday, May 3; noon. All shoppers will be required to book a timed shopping reservation at tilthalliance.org before the sale begins. With health and safety a top priority, a limited number of shoppers will be allowed to enter the sale at a time. Shoppers will select either a 30-minute or 60-minute shopping window, with 60-minute windows encouraged for those who may need extra time to move around the sale. Shopping reservations and face masks will be required of everyone on site. Information about reservations, navigating the plant sale layout and more can be found here.  

What To Expect Guide: 

Shoppers can view a short "What to Expect Guide'' with information about booking reservations, navigating the new Edible Plant Sale layout, parking and more, including tips on footwear as Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands is a working farm. We ask that all shoppers review this guide before the event. Read the guide.

Browse the Plant Lists: 

Because shopping will be timed in 30-minute or 60-minute windows, be prepared with your plant list beforehand!  Volunteers will be on-site to help find the plants you need. Browse the list.

Reservations open May 3, 12:00 pm, noon at tilthalliance.org/special_events/mayedibleplantsale. The sale will take place at Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands, 5513 S Cloverdale St in Seattle.

Sale Hours: 
Friday, May 7; 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, May 8; 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, May 9; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, May 10; no sale
Tuesday, May 11; 1-7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12; 9 a.m.-noon, 2-5 p.m.
Thursday, May 13;  10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Friday, May 14; 1-5 p.m.