Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Popular Native Plant Sale
Returns October 26, 2024
CThe Mojave Desert Land Trust is holding its popular native plant sale on October 26, 2024. Several thousand plants will be on sale, representing over 75 species. There will be around 10 new species this year, including scarlet milkvetch (Astragalus coccineus), yellow bush penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), and desert purple sage (Salvia dorrii). There are ample quantities of spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa), turpentine broom (Thamnosma montana), sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus longiflorus), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), and desert purple sage (Salvia dorrii). The full inventory of plants will be shared with the public in mid-October. Sign up for MDLT emails to find out the inventory early.
It has been a great growing year for many of the native plants on offer, despite this summer’s multiple heatwaves. Desert native plants can be difficult to grow at a nursery scale, particularly when faced with the Mojave Desert’s weather conditions. This year, MDLT’s plant conservation team tested a variety of propagation methods which enabled them to successfully grow species – some for the first time. Seeds were picked and cleaned on site and different germination techniques tested in the greenhouse. Watering and shade needs were managed, species by species, before the plants were hardened and readied for transplantation.
The popularity of MDLT’s sales reflects the public’s increasing interest in growing native plants that are drought tolerant and well adapted to the Mojave Desert’s climate and soil. Shoppers are advised that although the sale starts at 10am, people regularly show up several hours in advance to line up. This year, we will be staggering entry to ensure safety for all visitors and the number of cashiers will be increased to provide a better customer experience. Come prepared: Bring a hat, a book to read, a chair, and a friend to join you! Water will be supplied.
What: Mojave Desert Land Trust Fall Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10am – 2pm.
Where: MDLT Headquarters, 60124 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92284 URLs: More information
FAQ MDLT has prepared an FAQ on how to purchase plants and a planting guide that can be downloaded to help plan ahead.
Please note the sale will be cashless this year but all major credit cards will be accepted (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Union Pay, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay). Checks will also be accepted.
Members get 10% off their plant sale purchase. New members will be able to join in-person on the day of the sale. If shoppers are unsure if their membership is active, they can reach out to membership@mdlt.org. During the sale, visitors will be able to find out how they can support MDLT’s conservation work and purchase newly arrived merchandise.
Things to know before shopping:
• The sales are very popular with visitors lining up an hour before the doors open. Visitors are encouraged to come early for the best chance to get what’s on their plant wish list.
• Please note that only service animals are allowed.
• We do not accept returns or exchanges once plant material has left the premises.
• Seeds will also be available for purchase.
• Read our FAQ for more information.
• For questions about what to plant, download our plant lists and visit calscape.org.
• For questions about how to plant, download our planting guide.
Background: The Mojave Desert’s unique flora is a critical part of a sensitive desert ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife and cleaning our air and water through soil stabilization and carbon sequestration. Studies show that locally sourced plant material has a higher survival rate post planting because local ecotypes are better adapted to the environmental and climatic conditions where they originated than non-local ecotypes.
The California deserts are home to over 2,400 species of native plants, comprising over 30% of California’s diverse flora. Many of these species are considered to be of conservation concern.
The Mojave Desert Land Trust operates a native plant restoration nursery and conservation seed bank in Joshua Tree, California. The Plant Conservation Program was established in 2016 to address the increasing need to protect the California desert from threats posed by invasive species, human development, and rising global temperatures. The program helps MDLT preserve habitat and protect wildlife corridors by conserving native plants and restoring damaged ecosystems and rebuilding food chains.
The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. Since its founding in 2006, MDLT has conserved over 120,000 acres, conveying more tracts of land to the National Park Service than any other nonprofit. MDLT established a conservation seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species and operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which has grown over 120,000 native plants for restoration projects and community landscaping. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work. For more information, visit mdlt.org
