Plant Sale Donation Times and Locations
Arboretum and Learning Trail Naming Celebration
Saturday, May 24th: 10 am – 12 pm
Village Resource Centre
Monday, May 26th – Friday, May 30th: 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday, May 31st: 10 am – 4 pm
Monday, June 2nd – Wednesday, June 4th: 9 am – 6 pm
What kinds of plants can be donated?
We’re looking for plants that do well in your garden that you think others will enjoy. Also, consider plants that aren’t working the way you thought they would, whether it is
because of size, colour, environment, etc.
Many local gardeners are looking for native plants such as black-eyed Susan, milkweed, prickly pear cactus, and woodland sunflowers which were present in this area before the first settlers. Other gardeners are working on adding edible plants
to their gardens. One of our members is donating potted raspberry plants. We
would welcome other fruits, herbs, and edible plants. Every year we have beginner
gardeners at our sale looking for garden classics. These plants are the foundation of
many traditional gardens and are often a sentimental reminder of other gardeners. At past sales, we’ve had a selection of hostas, peonies, sedum, and more.
An important note – we will not accept any plants termed “invasive” by the Ontario
Invasive Plants Council. These are non-native plants that have the potential to escape into the natural environment and are aggressive about
displacing native plants. Common examples are vinca, lily of the valley, creeping jenny, and orange day lilies (ditch lilies). You can find the full list here: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/invasive-plants/
Each plant should be labeled using something like a popsicle stick and permanent
marker. Please include the name of the plant, the more accurate the better! For example, “Raspberry” is good, “Everbearing Raspberry” is better and “Heritage Raspberry” is best.
How should plants be donated?
Well before the sale, split your plants, knock off extra soil back into your garden and pot them up with potting soil. Water as needed. Doing this a week or two before the sale will have the plants adjusted to pots and looking their best for sale day.
At the sale, we like to keep things simple and have two price points that cover most items. To help us with this, we’re aiming to have most donations potted in either 4 inch containers, like a typical annual used in a mixed planter, or 1 gallon containers, the standard potting size for many perennials.
What information should be included with plant donations?
Each plant should be labelled, using something like a popsicle stick and permanent marker. Include as close of a name as possible. For example, “Raspberry” is good, “Everbearing Raspberry” is better and “Heritage Raspberry” is best.
In addition to the label, if you have more information to share, we’d appreciate having it to pass along to the new plant owners! This is especially true if you don’t have the variety name but have had it in your garden for a long time. Think about what you’d like to know about that plant before you planted it in your garden. Consider including a note with mature height, mature spread, whether it prefers sun or shade, water and soil notes and a photo of the bloom if you have it.
Do you take donations that aren’t plants?
Yes – we are adding a tools and decor section to our sale this year. Take a look in your garden shed for tools that are in good condition that you don’t use or decor that you haven’t put out in a few years. Someone else might love to have them!
We are also taking a limited number of 1 gallon perennial pots in good condition. Some of our members go through quite a few each year potting up donations for the plant sale and we’d love to build their stashes back up.
