Penn State Extension’s volunteer Master Gardeners are best known for dispensing gardening tips, but come spring, teams of them in many counties hold plant sales.
MGs in 38 Pennsylvania counties are planning one-day events in May that feature bargain-priced plants of all sorts in addition to assorted other activities such as plant clinics, educational exhibits and children’s programs.
The full county-by-county schedule with times, places and offerings are posted on Penn State’s Master Gardener website. All events are free and open to the public, no tickets or reservations needed.
One of the biggest is the Cumberland County Master Gardeners sale that’s scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Extension office at 310 Allen Road, Carlisle.
This one is a sort of “gardener’s yard sale” that features a plant clinic, information booths, gardening items and vendors in addition to a plant lineup that includes native perennials, vegetables, herbs, groundcovers, small trees, shrubs and even houseplants.
Lancaster and Lebanon counties are kicking off this year’s sales with two sales on Saturday, May 2.
Lancaster County MGs are holding their sale from 8 a.m. until sold out at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster.
It includes annuals, perennials, herbs, heirloom vegetables and native plant “plug bars” (small-sized transplants).
Lebanon County MGs are holding their sale from 8 a.m. until noon (or sellout) May 2 in the Brightbill Barn of the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon.
It includes native plants, perennials, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, annuals, and hanging plants.
York County MGs are holding their sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Rudy Park pavilions, 400 Mundis Race Road, York.
It will include native plants from local vendors, garden apparel, stained glass, art, children’s activities, educational programs and a food truck.
Franklin County MGs are holding their sale on from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Human Services Building, 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg.
It will include heirloom vegetables, annuals, herbs, pollinator-friendly and native perennials, groundcovers, a plant clinic, food-preservation information and booths manned by local groups.
Master Gardeners are veteran, avid gardeners who volunteer hours for the benefit of home gardening in exchange for training from Penn State.
They offer such free services as answering gardening questions, diagnosing plant problems, writing articles, running seminars and planting public trial and display gardens.
Contacts at each county are posted on a Penn State Master Gardener directory.
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