RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The annual River Valley Garden Club Plant Sale Extravaganza drew a steady stream of shoppers to the Rancho Murieta Association parking lot on May 9, with organizers calling the fundraiser a major success for both the club and the community.

The popular spring event featured flowers, vegetables, herbs, succulents, houseplants, raffle prizes, garden art, children’s activities and advice from a Master Gardener, creating what organizers described as the club’s largest event of the year and its primary fundraiser.

“We always get wonderful support from the community and our garden club members,” said Deborah Rooney, chair of the event. “Overall, the sale went exceedingly well.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser help support scholarships, grants and beautification projects throughout Rancho Murieta. Rooney said the club-funded community projects include the flower beds at Local Bean, the Cosumnes River Elementary School garden and landscaping at the Rancho Murieta Tennis Club.

Colorful displays of plants filled the parking lot as customers browsed offerings ranging from tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to succulents, geraniums, lavender, salvia and amaryllis. 

A children’s activity table returned by popular demand, while Master Gardener Pam McCabe answered gardening questions throughout the day. Floral design demonstrations and bouquet sales added a touch of Mother’s Day to the event. The club also offered a large selection of garden art displayed on tables and along a fence line surrounding the sale area.

One of the biggest attractions was the raffle, which featured an assortment of gardening-themed prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. Among the prizes were a garden cart filled with gardening tools and supplies, a Meyer lemon tree from Green Acres Nursery & Supply, a mandarin tree from Strutz Garden Center, a basket from Tractor Supply, gift certificates to Go Fore Pizza and Illume, an antique rocking chair paired with a flowering maple, and a whimsical gnome succulent garden.

Rooney said the raffle is always one of the most popular parts of the event.

Sponsors also played a major role in the fundraiser’s success. Rooney credited Margaret Watson-Hopkins with helping to secure support from numerous businesses and sponsors throughout the community, including Green Acres Nursery & Supply, Strutz Garden Center and Thompson’s Garden Center, all of which donated plants and other support for the event.

“Margaret Watson-Hopkins did a fabulous job touching base with so many businesses and sponsors within our community,” Rooney said. “We are extremely grateful for every single sponsor.”

Planning for the Plant Sale Extravaganza began in January, with Garden Club members spending months organizing donations, preparing plants and coordinating logistics for the large event. Rooney said many club members and family volunteers participated in the preparation and setup.

The Rancho Murieta Association maintenance crew helped by delivering tables and setting up canopies before the sale, while Rancho Murieta Boy Scouts assisted with takedown and cleanup afterward.

The club also announced plans to bring back the Rancho Murieta Garden Stroll in May 2027 in conjunction with next year’s Plant Sale Extravaganza.