In 2024 we are holding ONE sale, in the fall: date and location TBD.
On Saturday, April 20th we are co-sponsoring the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church plant SWAP. This event will be held from 10 am – 2 pm at 29 Central Street in Somerville.
WHEN: Fall 2024
TIME: Probably 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE: TBD
The Somerville Garden Club holds one of the best plant sales in the Boston area. Club members divide and donate time-tested favorites as well as plants they have just discovered.
Discover the perfect plant to enliven your garden or windowsill at this popular yearly sale. Perennials for sun and shade, herbs, shrubs, groundcovers, plus a wide variety of house plants will be featured. Choose from hundreds of plants donated by Somerville Garden Club members and friends. Visit the Connoisseur Table for that unique specimen or find a tried-and-true favorite – there’s something for everyone! Horticultural books, decorative containers, and garden tools will also be for sale. Experienced gardeners will be available to answer questions and assist with plant selections. And the littlest gardener will enjoy the Children’s Table.
Proceeds benefit the all-volunteer, non-profit Somerville Garden Club.
Instructions for Plant Donations:
- Put the plants (including houseplants) in an appropriate size pot, so that the roots aren’t sticking out of the pot. It is best if you can pot up plants a few weeks ahead of the sale to ensure the roots will have settled in the soil, rather than coming out of the pot bare root.
- Add potting soil as needed.
- Water well but do not fertilize.
- Brush soil from the pot and wash the pot so it presents well.
- Cut off any wilted, browned or yellow foliage and cut back stems that have already bloomed so the plant looks neat.
When you are considering which plants you are thinking of donating, please keep in mind that we will not accept plants that are considered invasive to Massachusetts. You can find that list here: Massachusetts Invasive species list
Each plant will need a label noting the following.
- name (latin and common)
- a description of the plant
- light requirements
- soil requirements (e.g. dry, watering tips)
- bloom time and color
- size when fully grown
- any other information the plant’s new owner will need (stake early in the season; leave to overwinter as food for the birds)
- Don’t hesitate to also note any particularly appealing characteristics! For example, we will be adding a ‘native’ sticker to plants that are native to North America. Help us out by noting that in the comments if you know your plant’s origins.
- North American Plants for New England Gardens: http://www.grownativemass.org/sites/default/files/umass_native_plts.pdf
- Native Plant List for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island: http://www.plantnative.org/rpl-nes.htm
- North American Plants for New England Gardens: http://www.grownativemass.org/sites/default/files/umass_native_plts.pdf
Templates
You can print out labels using one of these handy templates: