- This event has passed.
May Edible Plant Sale
Our annual May Edible Plant Sale features the largest selection of organically, sustainably and locally grown vegetable plant starts in the Puget Sound region. All revenue from the May Edible Plant Sale benefits Tilth Alliance’s year-round programming.
Plants offered at the May Edible Plant Sale are the best varieties to grow successfully in our Pacific Northwest climate. You’ll find an amazing selection of fruits and veggies to choose from, as well as culinary herbs, edible flowers, pollinator plants, and even gardening supplies that will help maximize your harvest all year round. You may even discover new plants or varieties for your summer garden!
Shopping the May Edible Plant Sale
- Shopping starts with the Early Bird Sale on Fri., May 3; 5-7 p.m.
- Shopping continues on Sat.-Sun., May 4-5; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- In-person shopping only — the sale will be held at the Meridian Playground in Wallingford.
- Capacity in the main sale space will be managed via staggered entry with wristbands.
- Accepted payment methods: debit, credit, Fresh Bucks and EBT.
Early Bird Sale: Friday, May 3 (Sold out!)
The Early Bird Sale (Fri., May 3; 5-7 p.m.) provides the chance to get first-pick at our selection of plant starts. Plus, it’s a fun way to support Tilth Alliance’s work building a more sustainable, healthy and equitable food future. (Early Bird ticket sales directly support Tilth Alliance’s year-round programming. A ticket is not required to attend the main event, happening Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5.)
Member Benefits
Tilth Alliance members receive a $5 coupon (the equivalent of one free plant) and get priority entrance. Keep an eye out for a special email with your coupon and details about priority access as we get closer to the sale. Must have an active membership as of Wednesday, May 1, to receive member benefits at the sale.
Volunteer
Helping hands will be needed to make this year’s May Edible Plant Sale as safe and enjoyable as possible. Volunteers will help us set up and take down the event, assist customers with their purchases, and provide general support throughout the day.
Plant Lists
Plan your shopping! Review our plant lists before you arrive and create your shopping list. Note: these are plants we’ve ordered, but availability is not guaranteed. Sometimes our growers experience crop failures, plants too small to sell, etc.
Vendor Marketplace
Instead of waiting in line to enter at your wristband color’s designated time, enjoy that time in our marketplace! Browse the vendor marketplace in the lower field, packed with community organizations, plant and seed sellers, and food and snack vendors. Plus, Tilth Alliance’s farm stand from Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands will be there selling produce and garden supplies.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: Ballard Edible Garden Tour, Cedar Grove, Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture (CORA), FARMore WA, Green Cleaning Seattle, King County Noxious Weed Control Program, Master Composter/Sustainability Stewards, RainWise Contractor Fair, Real Rent Duwamish, Trillium Sustainability
PLANTS & SEEDS: Broken Shovel Kiwi Farm, Calendula Farm, Urban Garden Wisdom, Wild Dreams Farms
FOOD & SNACKS: Black Coffee Northwest, Kathmandu Momocha, Mighty-O Donuts, NoWhere Foods, Siembra Seattle, Zylberschtein’s Delicatessen and Bakery
GOODS & SUPPLIES: Blue Kettle Books, Deschampsia, Hemleva, Puget Sound Beekeepers Association, Refill Vashon, Sad Face Ceramics, Sun Bunny Studio, Tilth Alliance’s Farm Stand
Getting There, Parking & Where to Enter
There will be no parking on either side of Corliss Ave N between the park and N 46th or on the west side of Sunnyside Ave N on Saturday and Sunday.
Parking Tips
- Carpool, take a bus (#44 or #62), or use other alternative transportation if you’re able. You can also take Link Light Rail to the U-District station and then walk or take bus #44 to Sunnyside Ave.
- Street parking will be available near Meridian Playground (4800 Meridian Ave N). Street parking will be limited. If you are driving to the sale, plan to spend time looking for parking.
- There are a few accessible parking spots in the Good Shepherd Center parking lot. There is a paved sidewalk part of the way to the sale.
Entering the Sale
- A staggered entry system allows the maximum number of people to enter and keep the entrance flowing smoothly during the busiest times.
- Pick up a color-coded wristband starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Welcome Tent in the lower field.
- Enjoy the Vendor Marketplace in the lower field outside of the sale instead of waiting in line!
- Please be prepared to wait to enter the sale if you plan to shop during peak hours: Saturday, between 9 a.m.-noon, or Sunday, between 9-10 a.m.
Thank you, sponsors!
Become a Vendor
Shop the marketplace during the sale and support local businesses! The Vendor Marketplace at the Edible Plant Sale features local businesses and organizations selling merchandise, serving food and drinks, and promoting their services. Interested in becoming a vendor? Email Kala Matzdorf at kalamatzdorf@tilthalliance.org.
Sponsor an Event
The May Edible Plant Sale, which has been running for nearly 40 years, is considered by many to be a “rite of spring” in Seattle and is expected to attract more than 4,000 attendees. Event sponsors have the opportunity to showcase their business to shoppers through several marketing channels, including an email to all attendees following the event.
Request Wholesale Plants
We often have plants remaining after our plant sales and we would love to offer them to community organizations at their wholesale cost. If you’d like to be contacted regarding leftover plants, please fill out a short contact form.