All semester long, students in the Greenhouse Management class at Manheim Central High School have been hard at work cultivating a wide variety of plants. The public is invited to enjoy the fruits of their labor at the annual plant sale, which will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Fridays, May 1 and 8, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, May 2 and 9. The sale will take place at the greenhouse located on Adele Avenue at the high school.

"We focus on heirloom varieties and have over 60 different kinds of tomato plants and over 30 types of peppers," shared Alex Vazquez, a senior who is a member of the class. "It would be hard to find another plant producer who would have as many unique varieties as we grow. Our class cultivates them in a safe and secure environment that produces healthy and happy plants!"

Along with tomatoes and peppers, the sale will include zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe, squash, eggplant, honeydew, watermelon and a variety of herbs. Flowers, including marigolds, nasturtium, pansies, petunias, poppies, snapdragons, sunflowers and zinnias, will also be for sale. A complete list of items may be found at https://mchs.manheimcentral.org/httpssecuresmorecomnh45ge by clicking on the "Agriculture" link.

"The proceeds from our sale go directly back to our greenhouse to maintain and develop our plant program for the students in the agriculture department," Alex said.

Taught by Seth Kensinger, the Greenhouse Management class is an elective for 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students.

"The class is a semester long and teaches us about greenhouse management to prepare us for the horticulture industry," Alex explained. "We also partner with the high school Life Skills students once a week, as they assist us in every part of the process of growing plants."

Students have learned how to manage a greenhouse and have studied plant growth and the conditions necessary for success.

"The greenhouse is only three years old, so it has the latest technologies with regards to temperature controls and watering system," Alex said. "The class has taken all responsibilities of growing the plants, when to water them, scouting them for insect damage or disease and controlling the temperature. We have learned about various propagation methods and transplanting small plants into larger pots."

He invites people to come to the sale to see firsthand what the students have accomplished this semester.

"We work really hard and enjoy the process of growing plants to be sold to the people of our community," Alex said. "There is a deep sense of satisfaction from providing these plants for other folks to enjoy."

To reach the plant sale, drive by the front of the high school on Adele Avenue and look for a sign before the road ends at the covered bridge. The greenhouse will be on the left.