2012

Latvian Plant Parade

To give everyone, professional gardeners and owners of small gardens alike, a chance to purchase the best plants grown in Latvia, the Society of Plant Nurseries organises plant parades twice a year. The 8^th Autumn Plant Parade, with the participation of JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” nurseries, will be held in the garden of Bulduri Horticulture Secondary School on September 22.

The Autumn Plant Parade traditionally brings together a multitude of nurseries, offering fruit trees and berry bushes, ornamental trees and bushes, as well as perennial flowers and other plants.  

Plants in pots can be purchased throughout the entire summer. However, their origin and path to store shelves can remain unclear. Quite often, after a year or so, it turns out that the plant does not grow, bloom or bear fruit as previously expected. Latvia-grown plants, as opposed to those purchased in stores or at markets, rarely bring unpleasant surprises. They are much more resistant to frost, diseases and pests. The Plant Parades organised by the Society of Plant Nurseries are the only events of this kind, where visitors can be 100 percent sure, that the offered plants are Latvia-grown.

More than 70 nurseries will offer their plants at the Autumn Plant Parade. The visitors will have every chance of finding the most suitable species of fruit trees or flowers. Some rare species are always brought as well! You will also be able to participate in taste testing wine and apples, buy the respective fruit trees, receive professional advice from nurseries and find out about the latest trends.

Early autumn is the perfect time for planting, when nature itself is forthcoming, helping gardeners to succeed. In contrast to spring, when there are many tasks at hand, autumn comes with much more free time to think about garden planning and then prepare soil for planting. The ground is still warm after summer. There are more cloudy days - the best ones for planting. Autumn also brings rain, ensuring that plants have their new roots and are firmly uprooted. There is no need to water them with the exception of those planted in light sandy soils.

Autumn is also ideal for planting bare root plants. Fruit trees, bushes and roses are most frequently sold as bare root plants. When buying such plants, it is necessary to be cautious so they do not dry up or become damaged during transportation. However, they will always be less expensive, their roots will be visible, and it will be difficult to purchase poor quality plants.

Berry bushes – black currant, red currant, gooseberry, dewberry and raspberry – should definitely be planted in autumn. Apple and pear trees will also manage to firmly uproot themselves by winter. Autumn (the end of August – September) is also a good time to plant roses. Both winter- and summer-grafted roses and perennial rose plants can be planted during this season. However, when planting roses, it is necessary to take into account that at least a month is required for their plants to uproot. Therefore you should not hesitate. You can also plant deciduous trees, bushes, fir-trees and larches by October. Wintergreens, particularly those that bloom in spring and early summer, and perennials, which will manage to uproot in the new location and surprise you with gorgeous blossoms next year, can also be planted or replanted in autumn. 

The selection for a long-desired plant, its dimensions and the “size of one’s wallet” is frequently a difficult one. In spring, when everyone is consumed by “planting madness”, prices are rather high. Autumn comes with lower prices, considerable discounts and sales. Therefore, if you truly long for something, perhaps you will find it at the Autumn Plant Parade.

The Autumn Plant Parade also promises pleasant relaxation. You may also find something useful among the crafts, gardening equipment and goods. Where else could you savour autumn fruit and wine produced in Latvia? In contrast to other garden exhibitions and markets, the Autumn Plant Parade offers free admission and parking. When you will become tired of strolling the rows of plants, take time to enjoy the beauty of autumn flower and chrysanthemum beds of Bulduri Horticulture Secondary School, or quench your thirst in the park of the oldest horticulture school in the Baltic States.