Rain doesn't dampen Greensburg May Mart plant sale

As she walked around the Greensburg Garden Center’s May Mart sale in an almost steady downpour Friday, Elizabeth Pesci of Hempfield was undeterred by the rain from above or the mud around her feet.

“Rain doesn’t bother gardeners. We are used to it,” said Pesci, one of organizers of the sale at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. Wearing an orange poncho, Pesci was quick to assist customers in deciding what plants or vegetables to buy for this growing season.

Despite the incessant rain, Pesci said customers continued to shop the 2,000 flowers and vegetables brought in from local growers for this year’s sale.

“We have a bunch of really good gardeners,” Pesci said.

The Greensburg Garden Center, which is associated with three other clubs, has close to 300 members, Pesci said.

Jamie Hoffman of Delmont walked along the tables of plants and vegetables, seeking perennials and flowers. The two conversed as Hoffman looked at the selection.

Garden club members Judy Geary of Greensburg and Tiffany Horvat of North Huntingdon, who were taking payments for the plants, said they had a steady stream of customers, indicating there were a lot of buyers and not just browsers.

Sarah Hunter of Greensburg walked away from the garden club’s sale with a box of perennials for her garden, and Irina Lorenzi of Greensburg was unfazed by the rain, getting soaked while buying heirloom tomato plants.

“We live in Pennsylvania,” Lorenzi said, acknowledging the obvious — it rains a lot.

The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the center, 951 Old Salem Road.