Start your garden with the Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County Plant Sale
The annual Lenoir Master Garden Plant Sale will be held at the Master Gardener Greenhouse behind the Cooperative Extension office. The address is 1791 Hwy. 11/55 in Kinston.
Marsha Lovick and Paige Petticrew. Photo: Kristy Bock/Neuse News
Shoppers can expect “a crowd,” said Marsha Lovick, Master Gardener “We start at 8:00 am. Usually there are people lined up earlier than that, but we can’t let anyone shop until eight. The plants range anywhere from $1 to $3.”
Preparation for the sale stars in late January with someone in the greenhouse every day to ensure that the plants are well watered, well fertilized, and moved around to ensure they are at the right temperature.
“They have been working very hard out here for the plant sale,” said Paige Petticrew, Extension Agent, Agriculture Horticulture. “I’m so excited to be involved in my first plant sale.”
Besides a variety of herbs, the Master Gardener volunteers will have different varieties of peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, and seven different types of tomatoes. There are even begonias grown at Greene Central High School’s greenhouse.
The Master Gardener volunteers help with projects within the community, including working with Kennedy homes to help get a garden going with raised beds. The Jr. Master Gardeners will go back to Signature Healthcare to help with their potted plants.
“I think that we have probably the best group of master gardeners we’ve had in many, many years,” said Dr. Tammy Kelly, Ed.D., County Extension Director. “We probably have more available plants this year. We’ve got knowledgeable master gardeners who can answer any question you have about how to grow what you’re purchasing. I think it’s going to be a super-successful plant sale. I hope everyone gets here early.”
Proceeds from the plant sale will help fund other ventures. The Lenoir County Master Gardeners are a part of including a native garden and pollinators near the CSS Neuse II, a Junior Master Gardeners program, and a children’s garden. They also provide three grants annually to educators who teach horticulture type classes of up to $400.