As the end of California’s rainy season nears, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Nursery is offering an event called Plant It Forward this Spring, featuring a variety of native plants for sale, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5.

There is a preview for garden members only on Friday, March 3. Garden members also receive a 10% discount on their purchases.

“Native plants do best if they get in the ground before the end of the rainy season,” said Matt Straka, the garden’s retail manager. “The nursery is open year-round, but we’re ready to spring forward with an even larger assortment of species that are ready to be planted right now, including unique items not always available.

“During this special weekend, we’ll restock almost constantly to ensure a wide variety is available no matter what time you visit.”

Located just inside the garden’s gate, the nursery offers a selection of easy-to-grow native plants year-round. For the spring event, in addition to the nursery sales staff, volunteer helpers will be there to assist shoppers with transporting purchases to the parking lot. 

Those wanting to visit the garden in addition to shopping must make an advance reservation at www.sbbotanicgarden.org/visit/hours-reservations. Those who are only shopping do not need reservations; they can park in a member parking spot and check-in at the front kiosk to receive a shopper pass.

Online shopping is also available at shop.SBBotanicGarden.org. Shoppers choose from a list of available species and pick up their purchases in the garden parking lot at a later date.

Photos and lists of suggested groundcovers, shrubs and trees, plants for slope and erosion control, lawn substitutes, and easy-to-grow varieties can be found at https://sbbotanicgarden.org/grow/gardening-resources.