The Cedartown High School chapter of the National FFA Organization began its annual spring plant sale Monday.

The students would like to invite the public to browse the CHS greenhouse, located behind the vocational building at the north end of the school. The revenue from the plant sale will be used to help develop future agriculture leaders in the community by allowing them to participate in the FFA Summer Leadership Camp in Covington.

Warmer weather is just around the corner, and through hands-on learning, the agriculture students at CHS have grown another excellent crop of summer bedding plants, herbs and garden vegetables, faculty advisor Michael Ferguson said.

‘The students have propagated a wide variety of annuals that are sure to add that perfect splash of color to your landscape,” Ferguson said. “Some of the plants include a collection of drought-tolerant sedums and the mosquito repelling Swedish ivy. ]

“There are also some time tested favorites like marigolds, petunias, coleus, Gerber daisies, and impatiens, just to name a few.”

The students have grown some newer varieties of annuals this year that have rated very high in the University of Georgia’s trial gardens in terms of heat tolerance and overall garden performance. Some of these varieties include the dragon wing begonia with its glossy foliage and red flowers, and the popular mini-petunia.

“The heat-loving ‘New Gold’ lantana is back, as well as new colorful varieties of verbena,” Ferguson said. “The floriculture students at CHS have also created some pre-assembled floral containers and hanging baskets that will look nice on any porch or patio.”

With the world becoming more aware of the importance of self-sustaining agriculture, there will be no better time to start your own vegetable garden, Ferguson said. The CHS FFA has just the plants to get you started.

The school has a large selection of heirloom tomato plants. There are popular varieties like Rutgers, Brandywine, Roma, and Red Cherry for those individuals that prefer the classic, acidic flavored tomatoes.

Inspired by lessons on plant genetics, the agriculture students also did some research to find rare seeds of other heirloom tomato varieties that are sure to be a great-tasting, unique conversation piece in local gardens, such as the low acid Yellow Jubilee tomato and flavorful Pink Oxheart tomato which produces fruit that is large, sweet, and perfect for slicing, Ferguson said.

There are other unique varieties like the Yellow Oxheart as well as the rare White Snowball tomato that ripens to a white color. The tomato that ripens but never changes color called German Green is also available for purchase. For those with limited space, the Superboy variety is perfect for container planting or topsy-turvy’s. Last but not least, ‘Black Krim’ is a tomato that has purplish-red flesh and a rich, slightly salty taste.

The plant sale will also include a vast array of peppers, including sweet banana pepper, jalapeño, sweet cow horn, and the insanely hot ghost pepper. Other veggies include three types of cucumber, zucchini, pattypan squash, and two varieties of watermelon.

Flavorful culinary herbs like cilantro, rosemary, sage, pineapple mint, lemon grass, and the sugary-sweet stevia plant will also be available.

The plant sale will take place from 10 a.m. though 5 p.m., April 9-25.

The mission of The National FFA Organization is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

For further details of the plant sale, contact Ferguson at michaelferguson@polk.k12.ga.us or by phone at 770-748-0490 ext. 269.