Monsoon Madness 2012

Article by Angela Mazella   Photos by Steve McIntyre 

This year we got the Monsoon rain without the madness. Like clockwork the rains came at the very opening of this year’s plant sale. It kept the number of customers down (from 704 last year to 504 this year), but surprisingly didn’t hurt our bottom line. The customers came steadily through the day so we missed the usual madness. The half price part of the sale didn’t happen until almost closing. Well at least we didn’t have to water the plants or hydrate our volunteers and customers. 

        The Master Gardener Association really came through with over 1200 plants this year. And they were beautiful with a great variety. Herbs were especially plentiful. Thanks to all the plant makers! We supplemented this with 180 plants from Mountain States and most of them sold as well. 

There were some great garden accessories too. An electric lawn mower, numerous tools and wheel barrows sold well. The rain didn’t stop the tool sharpening operation. They again did a whopping $366 worth of it. 

Thanks to John Mazella and Jeff Schalau and his jazz band for the entertainment. Luckily they managed to keep dry while playing great music. 

This year the committee purchased some tables since we would not be able to access the tables provided by the county. Another step towards self sufficiency for the plant sale. Expenses totaled $1623 and gross sales exceeded last year by $200. This gave us net profits this year of $4717. Only $100 less than last year. We are amazed. Thanks to all the volunteers who made the day possible. I would like to name all 82 of you but have run out of space. It looked like they were all having a good time despite the rain. My impression from speaking to the public is that the Master Gardener Association annual Monsoon Madness plant sale has made it to the must do events in Prescott. Our reputation is so good that everyone asks us when the next sale is. 

Monsoon Madness is Back!

Saturday, July 14, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners are having their Monsoon Madness gardeners sale.  The sale runs from 7:30am to 1pm. This is a great opportunity to purchase plants grown by the Master Gardeners and used gardening equipment.  There will be herbs, perennials, annuals, natives and house plants available.


Along with the plant sale you can bring your pruning shears, knives, loppers and axes to be sharpened (no serrated edges).  Workshops are also scheduled on planting, watering composting, insect control and more.


Sales are cash only!


Location: 
Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds

840 Rodeo Dr.

Prescott, AZ 86305

Monsoon Madness 2011

Monsoon Madness 4

The fourth annual Monsoon Madness plant sale was bigger and better than ever.

Thanks to the many master gardeners who grew healthy and happy plants for the sale. We had an incredible variety of herbs, houseplants, annuals and perennials, with very little left over after the sale. The Committee even purchased about 100 plants from Mountain States to round out the xeriscape offerings. Those all sold as well. The large selection of garden pots, fencing, outdoor furniture and other miscellaneous garden art rounded out the yard sale part of Monsoon Madness.

Besides the favorite tool sharpening services we have offered in our events, this year “Garden Bites” was added. These were 15-minute presentations on transplanting, composting, perennial gardens, vermiculture, garden safety and tree diseases and pests. The talks were well attended. This rounded off the expertise we offered to the public.

Then there was the entertainment. John Mazella performed solo guitar during the early morning rush and Jeff Schalau and his wife joined their newly formed and very talented Jazz band for the rest of the sale.

Our 78 volunteer master gardeners were kept very busy answering questions about selection and planting their purchases.  We had 704 eager customers this year. 

The usual monsoon rains held off until noon so the eager left over crowd could take advantage of the half price sale. All this fun and hard work amounted to a profit of $4921 for the Association. This was part of the “better than ever” as it was $400 more than last year.  We could not have done it without the hard work and support of all of the 78 volunteer and committee members of the Yavapai Master Gardener’s Association.

To see more pictures of the sale and past events click the Flickr link to the right.