WCMG Plant Sale & Garden Expo

Save the date: Saturday, May 18, 2024

Time: 10 am – 3 pm

Bring: a wagon to hold purchases

Location: Washington County Fairgrounds
12300 40th St N, Lake Elmo

The Plant Sale:

Come explore an abundance of sprouts and seedlings to add to gardens and planters this summer. Plants are either grown by Master Gardener volunteers or purchased from local plant nurseries. The plants are cultivated without pesticides and grown in sterile potting soil to prevent the spread of jumping worms, a recent invasive pest in our state.* Choose from hundreds of varieties of plants including annuals and perennials, native and prairie plants, monarch and pollinator favorites, grasses, shade loving plants, and vegetables including heirloom tomatoes and herbs.

The Garden Expo:

• Diagnostic Clinic: Participants are invited to submit small samples of turf, trees or plants that appear diseased or infested with insects for analysis by Master Gardener diagnostic detectives. Bring a small cutting, photos of the plant and its surrounding environment, or a small pest (unsquished!) in a small clear bag and volunteers will help identify problems and recommend solutions to help plants flourish.
• Educational Displays: Cultivate gardening knowledge by visiting with Master Gardener volunteers on a variety of topics including Japanese beetles, battling buckthorn, pruning shrubs and more.
• Ask A Master Gardener: There’s a lot of gardening advice out there – come chat with a Master Gardener to weed through the current recommendations of the U of M Extension Service to help houseplants, lawns, trees, flowers, fruits and vegetables thrive in an environment where diseases and pests are unwelcome.
• Garden Market: This unique boutique features garden-themed crafts or items made from natural materials that are crafted by our Master Gardener Volunteers. Shop a wide variety of gift items for you, your kids, pets and gardens, including trellises, bird houses, plant stakes and more.
  

*Note about plant sale: This year’s plant sale will not have any divisions of mature landscape plants from personal gardens of Master Gardeners. A new invasive pest, the Jumping Worm (Amynthas agrestis) has been identified in Washington County. These worms negatively impact soil structure and reduce plant growth and can disturb forest ecosystems. Plants will either be purchased or started from seed in sterile soil.

Proceeds from this event support the educational service projects of the Washington County Master Gardener Volunteers.

*Cash, Checks, and Credit Cards Accepted*