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For many years, the Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners Association (RAMGA) has organized an annual community plant sale.
It has had many iterations – from its beginnings in the Waddell Elementary parking lot, to the space at Washington and Lee University to an online sale during the pandemic, to the Kerrs Creek firehouse – each with a common goal: to connect with the community.
“The plant sale is a tremendous undertaking that requires a year-round effort from Master Gardener volunteers, and after much consideration, RAMGA has decided to reevaluate the plant sale so that we can best serve our community,” explained Jen Coluzzi, co-president of the Master Gardeners.
“While we regret to inform the community that we will not be holding our annual, large-scale plant sale this year, we are excited to announce that we plan to have many smaller-scale plant sales throughout the coming year instead,” she said.
That actually means more opportunities for buying plants, said Coluzzi.
The organization is bringing back monthly in-person public programs, at which area residents will be able to purchase plants. The first program will be held on March 18.
“By holding smaller monthly sales in conjunction with our educational events, we hope to help residents spread their garden work out throughout the season, provide them, with plants at an appropriate time to plant them, and show them how late summer and fall blooming plants look in their prime – which doesn’t happen in the spring,” said Anita Tuttle, co-president.
For the second year, RAMGA will also be partnering with the Native Plant Society to give away native trees for Arbor Day on April 29 in the Tractor Supply parking lot.
At its core, RAMGA is an educational organization that is meant to share gardening and horticultural knowledge with its community.
“In order for us to do so, we need to consider how to best serve our community and adapt,” said Tuttle.
“We welcome everyone’s input, ideas for programs, and questions about gardening. Please email us at [email protected],” she said.
