Join the Excitement: Annual Plant Sale Draws Thriving Crowd!

This Saturday, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden buzzed with excitement during its annual Plant Sale & Gardeners Market. Perfect weather brought in many eager customers.

Attendees found a wide selection of plants. Tables overflowed with native and non-native perennials, herbs, and various tomato plants. Vendors displayed a mix of crafts and unique plant varieties, making it a vibrant community event.

Cathy Schmitt, co-chair of the event, shared her enthusiasm. “We’ve got a wonderful crowd today, and the sun is shining,” she said. Schmitt, a former Kentucky Master Gardener of the Year, noted that this year’s event featured many vendors, enhancing the overall experience. “Before, we didn’t have vendors until I suggested it after seeing how successful it was elsewhere.”

All proceeds from master gardener sales, except for tomato and pepper plants, go directly to support the botanical garden.

The quality of this year’s plants stood out. “Our growers provided us with the best plants we’ve ever had,” Schmitt said. She was especially thrilled to see shoppers purchasing native plants. “These plants are better for our local pollinators like bees and butterflies.”

Regenia Sims, another co-chair and past president of the master gardeners, felt the event was a great success. “We have many new and experienced gardeners here sharing native plants. It’s exciting to see customers leaving with boxes of greenery,” she remarked.

Joyce Riney, current Kentucky Master Gardener of the Year, echoed this sentiment. “We’ve sold out of many items, including herbs! I think people are more aware of the importance of native plants,” she noted.

Local vendors also enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Anna Weber, who sells floral wreaths and other crafts, said the traffic was steady, though she had more ‘lookers’ than buyers. “It’s been an average day for me,” she commented.

Returning for the third time, Madison Love, owner of River Blossoms Flower Farm, brought a colorful array of flowers. “It’s going really well! We focus a lot on house plants and grow about 25,000 tulips each year,” she shared. Love appreciated the camaraderie among fellow gardeners. “It’s great for the community to come together like this,” she added.

Events like this not only connect people to nature but also highlight the growing interest in native gardening. Such community gatherings support environmental health and foster relationships among local gardeners.

Many attendees shared their joy on social media, posting pictures of their plant finds. With growing awareness about the value of native species, events like the Plant Sale & Gardeners Market are paving the way for a more sustainable gardening community.

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tomato plants, native plants, Kentucky Master Gardener, master gardeners, Cathy Schmitt