Plant Sale
Our annual plant sale is our major fundraiser for the year. Each active member is asked to donate a minimum of five plants. We supplement member donations by purchasing trays of small perennials from a local grower in March, repotting them, nurturing them and selling them at the sale. Every plant is locally grown and therefore, tends to be more successful in people’s gardens.
This is an “all hands on deck” endeavor. For the last several years, we have had volunteers from the Youth Center to assist us the day of the sale. The kids load, unload and organize the plants with us. They then assist customers in tallying orders and loading plants in their cars. It is a wonderful collaboration between our two organizations, and their help is invaluable.
The success of our sale allows us to fund all our programs and activities, in addition to funding two scholarships each year to a student majoring in horticulture or environmental studies.The community waits for our sale each year and is incredibly supportive of our efforts.
Each member is asked to donate at least 5 plants . For those who do not have a garden to dig plants from, there is the option to pay for a tray to re-pot and nurture until the sale. Member plant donations are a very important part of supplementing what we can buy. We like to promote that our plants are locally grown and hardy to our area. Please only use the black #300 or #400 pots provided or ones that are cleaned from previous years. One reason our Plant Sale looks so "professional" is that all our pots match and it makes pricing easy and consistent.
PLANTS TO DONATE
* Only perennials(including herbs like oregano,chives,mint) and small shrubs
* Preference for native plants or unusual/ unique species
* Shade plants
* No annuals, bulbs, houseplants or true lilies ( only daylilies)
* No invasives please!
HOW TO POT UP A PLANT
Please pot up plants no less than two weeks prior to the sale, otherwise plants will be in shock and not look sale-worthy. Some plants like daylilies, astilbe and hosta can be dug in a clump and then divided into several plants. A sharp spade, soil knife or other cutting tool are good for this purpose.
As you pot plants purchased for the sale or as you dig from your own gardens, attention to a few details will be most appreciated. Regarding pot size, be sure that the plant is appropriate to the pot size. Most plants will fit into No. 300 pots, the smaller size of our pots. If the plant will truly not fit into the No. 300, it may go into the No. 400, the larger of our pot sizes. Whichever pot you use be sure that the plant fills the pot. Please do not donate pots filled with only roots or tubers. Remember that the plant must fill the pot and be sale worthy by sale time. Fill the pots at least 3/4 full, and tamp in well. Plant labels are easier to read if they are placed face out at the edge of the pot. Pots of both sizes and labels will be outside of Harriet Osgood's house (69 Old Village Lane) for you to pick up as of April 1.
Fill the pot with clean, purchased potting soil so as to avoid spreading jumping worms! It is recommended that you bare root your plants by rinsing the roots and then planting in fresh soil. Please be sure to fill the pots up to an inch from the rim.
Plants may be delivered to Harriet Osgood's house (69 Old Village Lane) the weekend of May 16. If you are going away, your plants may arrive prior to that time. Otherwise, please no early deliveries. The signs noting exposure needs (sun, shade, part shade) of the plants will be in place. PLEASE water the plants prior to delivery. If not on delivery day, the day before. If necessary, tidy the plants of spent leaves or blossoms, and if taller varieties are flopping, please stake them.
THANK YOU!
