The Woolwich Gardeners are kicking off the gardening season with one of their biggest fundraisers, their annual native plant sale.
On May 9, prospective plant buyers can head over to 24 Church St. W., Elmira, just behind the township building, where the sale will take place from 8 a.m. to noon. The sale is cash-only and entirely dependent on community donations. In previous years, there has been a wide variety of plants available, from hostas to house plants.
Tomorrow (Friday) is donation day. The Woolwich Gardeners team sets up to accept donations from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same location where the sale will take place.
“Friday evening, we set up tables, we take our donations, we get organized, we categorize the plants, we price them, we make sure they have tags on them,” explained Marlene Snyder, Woolwich Gardener’s plant sale coordinator.
Accepted donations include perennials, bulbs, seedlings, native plants, houseplants, and garden-related items such as tools, garden decor, and plant supports. Plants should be labelled with masking tape or permanent markers and potted using either garden center pots or recyclable food containers such as berry baskets or yogurt containers.
“We take everything and anything. We’re happy for any donations that we receive,” said Snyder.
“It’s like a potluck, when the plants come in, because you never know what you’re going to get. It does depend a little on the weather, because some things are up and some are not. Now it has been a little bit cooler, so things are a little slower to come up.”
Any plants or plant equipment leftover from the sale are donated to MCC Thrift in Elmira, so nothing goes to waste.
This year, the Woolwich Gardeners have also partnered with TWEEC, the township of Woolwich’s Environmental Enhancement Committee.
“So, the last three years, we’ve partnered with them, and they have donated native plants. Their plants are purchased from a garden centre, but they’re all natives and come in little plugs you can buy for $4. Every year they’ve brought different kinds of native plants, so it’ll be interesting to see what’s on their list this year,” said Snyder.
Memberships for Woolwich Gardeners will also be available to purchase on the day of the plant sale. The annual membership fee is $15 and offers benefits, such as a 10 per cent discount at some garden centers.
One advantage of buying plants locally is getting plants that are already adapted to the area’s climate. Another advantage is getting to ask local experts any gardening questions.
“All of the members are knowledgeable about gardening. You can ask all the questions you want – they’re right there to help you. And we have the resources that if we don’t know it off the top of our head, we can look it up,” said Mary Stoddart, treasurer of Woolwich Gardeners.
While the event has been running for several years, prices at the plant sale have not increased. The non-profit has aimed to keep prices low, with each plant priced between $2 and $8.
“When you go to a garden centre, often the area of the root is very small, so the cost is often quite large, when you go to a garden centre, you can spend up to $15 on a perennial. Our prices have not changed in the last 20 years,” said Snyder.
As one of the Woolwich Gardeners’ major fundraisers, the money raised supports the group’s community work, such as maintaining local flower beds. Walking around Woolwich, many residents will be familiar with some of the gardens the group maintains, including the Breslau bridge planters, Bristow Park garden, Floradale bridge and firehall, Gibson Park, and the Lions Park entrance garden.
Beyond beautifying the public gardens, the group has a range of other community initiatives, including the Junior Gardeners Club, which provides hands-on gardening experience for youth, and a scholarship for local high school students pursuing a horticultural or agricultural program at a post-secondary institution.
Many gardeners can attest that the joys of gardening go beyond beautification and enjoyment. Gardening is a way to build community, connect with the outdoors and create lasting memories. While cost can be a barrier to entry, events like the Woolwich Gardeners’ plant sale make it possible for almost anyone to get their hands on some beautiful plants.
“I’m married now, but years ago, I was a single mother with three children, and there is no possible way that I would have the plants I have today if it wasn’t for the plant sales,” said Snyder.
Years later, now Snyder’s garden is full of plants, each with its own story to tell.
“Because people have given me plants over the years, when I walk through my garden, I remember that person. It’s a memory for me. So not only is there the beauty of gardening, but there’s a history with your garden and memories attached to the flowers and plants,” said Snyder.
She recalls the purple irises in her garden, a gift from her grandmother. While Snyder’s grandmother passed away 15 years ago, the flowers continue to bloom.
“The joy of gardening, right? The memory associated with each plant, the sharing, especially joining a horticultural society.”
Anyone interested in checking out the plant sale can learn more online at www.gardenontario.org/society-listing/entry/156.
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