Awesome Local Plant Sales in Nashville and Middle Tennessee
A Month-By-Month Schedule of Upcoming Plant Sales and Events for Gardeners
If you're a gardener like me, then one of the happiest times is when you add a new plant to your collection. Searching locally in Middle Tennessee or wherever you may live is a fantastic way to find other gardeners who need to divide plants, need more space or just want to share their bounty. You can also be fairly certain that the plants are perfectly suited for your location. Attending local plant sales is one of my favorite ways to expand my collection. I think you'll agree that it's positively habit-forming. Plus, many sales benefit local organizations.
On this page, you'll find a comprehensive list of local plant sales, gatherings and garden shows. If you've been to any of these, feel free to share your experiences so you'll know which ones you absolutely must attend and which ones you can skip without worrying. If a missed something, just let me know in the comments area!
Plant Sales in February and March
Not much is shaking in February this year, but by the beginning of March is time for one famous event!
1. The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show
DATE: March 3–8, 2015
LOCATION: Tennessee State Fairgrounds
This is an annual event that takes place at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, which are currently located in South Nashville near Wedgewood and Nolensville Pike. This is one of the most commercial events and is sponsored by the Horticultural Association of Tennessee. It's been held at the fairgrounds for the past 25 years and currently runs four days in late February or early March.
Like some international flower shows, this event has indoor display gardens, lectures, demos, flower design displays and a trade show-style vendor booths. Tickets to this event are $10 for adults, and the show opens at 10 AM. Parking is an additional $5. Attendees can buy plants, hard goods and machinery from 150 vendors mostly from Tennessee, but 15 other states are also represented. Proceeds from ticket sales support horticultural grants and projects.
Local Plant Sales in April
1. Annual Plant Sale Sponsored by the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tenn
DATE: April 11, 2015
LOCATION: Tennessee State Fairgrounds (Sports Arena Building)
The Perennial Plant Society's Annual Plant Sale (gee that sounds like an oxymoron) is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and Nashville Expo Center in Nashville. This is a free event, although parking is $5. The event claims to be the best and largest plant sale in the area. Lines form an hour before the doors open at nine, and everything's sold out by noon. Buyers can snatch up more than 400 kinds of annuals, perennials, vines and ornamental grasses.
DATE: April 18, 2015
LOCATION: Tennessee State Fairgrounds
This annual event is held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and is sponsored by the Herb Society of Nashville, which is a division of the Herb Society of America. Although details are scarce, I expect you'll find a superb variety of culinary and medicinal herbs ranging from ginger or garlic and borage to basil and plenty of other vegetables and ornamentals, since herb gardeners are true plant lovers.
Do You Go To Plant Sales?
How many events do you attend each year?
Gardening in Tenn
Sales and Gardening Events in May
1. Wilson County Master Gardener Spring Festival & Plant Sale
DATE: May 9, 2015
LOCATION: Wilson County Fairgrounds
May is a busy month for plant sales. It all starts with the annual Spring Festival and Plant Sale, which is sponsored by Wilson County Master Gardeners. The event takes place in Lebanon, TN, at the Wilson County Fairgrounds, which is also known as the James E. Ward Agricultural Center. The sale begins at 10 AM and runs all day. Plus, admission and parking are free!
2. Middle Tennessee Hosta Society Annual Sale
DATE: Saturday before Mom's Day
LOCATION: Maryland Farms YMCA
This annual sale is sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Hosta Society and is held on the Saturday before Mother's day. More than 200 hosta cultivars will be featured in the parking lot of the Brentwood YMCA, which is located on Maryland Way.
3. 2015 Urban Gardening Festival/Master Gardeners of Davidson County
DATE: May 16, 2015
LOCATION: Ellington Agricultural Center
The Urban Gardening Festival is an annual educational event and plant sale sponsored by the Master Gardeners of Davidson County. It's held at the Ellington Agricultural Center, which is just off of Hogan Road, near Brentwood. This event is free. The sale begins at 9 AM and winds down around 4. This is an outdoor event.
4. The Master Gardeners of Cheatham County Plant Sale
DATE: Mid or Late May
LOCATION: South Cheatham Public Library at Kingston Springs (subject to change)
If you're in or near Cheatham County, stop by the Master Gardeners' annual plant sale, which is typically held in mid to late May. In 2014, the event was held at the South Cheatham Public Library at Kingston Springs. Follow the group's Facebook page for details on upcoming events.
Events in June
As the weather heats up, plant sales cool down. If you know of an event that happens in June, let me know!
Plant Sales in July
1. Middle Tennessee Iris Society Annual Sale
DATE: Early July
LOCATION: Ellington Ag Center
This is hands-down my favorite, most anticipated annual event. The sale takes place in early July, since this is the best time to divide irises. They have a pretty tremendous selection. Plus, you can enter their annual giveaway, and they handout unknown or unlabeled rhizomes with purchases over a certain amount. They give you a giant bag for you to fill up, and some people walk away with bushels of stuff. The members are mostly elderly and are super-nice and helpful. You'll find tons of beautiful cultivars and modern varieties as well as a limited selection of historic irises. Don't expert to find exactly what's on your list. This event takes place at the Ed Jones Auditorium, which is inside the Ellington Ag Center. Take Franklin Road, and follow Hogan Road to the end where you'll see signs for the state Ag Center. I can't believe I'm spilling the beans on this one, because I want the irises all to myself! This is an indoor event.
August
No current events.
September
No current events.
Events in October
DATE: Early October
LOCATION: Historic Carnton Plantation
This annual plant sale is sponsored by the Williamson County Master Gardeners and is held at the Carnton Plantation just outside of Franklin. The event is free and typically takes place in early October. Small commercial growers and large wholesale nurseries have booths here. The prices are relatively high, and the selection is low. In 2014, I managed to get one plant on my list and purchased something else on a whim. They has a few hucheras, but they were pretty pricy for what they were offering. One lady did have some beautiful fern through. Visit the Williamson County Master Gardeners page to learn more or follow them on Facebook.
Middle Tennessee Plant Sales on the Map
Multiple Events: Urban Gardening Fest in May Iris Sale in July
Wilson County Spring Fest in May
Multiple Events Lawn and Garden Show Feb/March Annual Plant Sale in April Herb and Plant Sale in April
Williamson County Master Gardener's Plant Sale in October
Cheatham County Master Gardeners Plant Sale Mid-May
Fall and Winter Events
There are currently no events scheduled for:
- November
- December
- December
- January
Ongoing Events
- If you're interested in purchase plants or learning more about gardening, your local famer's market is a great place to start. Gardens of Babylon is the centerpiece of the Nashville Farmer's market.
- You'll also find plant sellers at the Rutherford County Farmers Market in Murfreesboro, which runs from May through October.
- The Franklin Farmer's Market is another great destination for local food. I'm not sure if they have plants, but they have some great cheese makers, dry-aged beef producers and farmers who offer CSA plans.
If you know about a great farmer's market, let everyone know about it in the comments!
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