More than 1,000 attend Henrico Master Gardeners’ annual Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival

A total of 1,006 adults and children attended Henrico County Master Gardeners’ annual Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival on June 3 at Deep Run Park in Henrico’s west end. More than 3,000 potted plants were offered for sale. Event proceeds will be used to fund ongoing Master Gardener programs and horticulture scholarships.

Master Gardeners sold plants from their own gardens at bargain prices. The event also included pre-made floral arrangements available for purchase, a “Garden Treasures” table selling gently used gardening items, educational displays, musical entertainment and food trucks.

The 2023 Plant Sale exceeded last year’s event which attracted 946 people and had more than 1,500 potted plants offered for sale.

In addition to the sales, Junior Master Gardeners offered a number of hands-on children’s activities, including face painting (pictured at left), coloring, story time and a photo booth where families could take pictures of their children posing as butterflies. Feedback from visitors was positive. One three-year old boy — with his face painted and bunny ears on — told his mom, “I don’t want to leave.”

Educational booths included Henrico Cooperative Extension, Keep Henrico Beautiful, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District, Riverine Master Naturalists, Department of Natural Heritage, Pocahontas Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, Plant Virginia Natives, Dandelion Springs Apiary, a vermiculture demonstration, and pollinator displays and information.

William (Tripp) and Jenny Johnson (pictured at right), part of the group the Cary Street Ramblers, provided musical entertainment with light bluegrass guitar melodies on their string instruments.

Super Bowlz food truck was on site selling wings, subs, fries and drinks.

Henrico County Master Gardeners staffed a Plant Clinic to answer gardening questions.

The Plant Sale kicked off Thirty Days of Celebrating Pollinators which featured information on social media and activities scheduled during the month of June to celebrate the amazing world of pollinators.

Henrico County Master Gardeners are volunteers who act on behalf of the Henrico County Extension Office as educators within the community. They receive specialized training in environmental horticulture through cooperative programming with Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Scroll through the gallery below to view photos of the 2023 Plant Sale & Pollinator Festival: