Grab your wagons and your
wallets — it’s plant-buying season.
Starting Thursday, April 17, and running through Sunday,
April 20, the Midlands Plant and Flower Festival at the
State Farmers Market offers everything you need to jump-start
your spring garden.
More than 75 exhibitors will fill the 100,000-square-foot
watermelon shed, offering everything from herbs to garden
art.
Ready to shop? Here are five things to remember:
Dress the part: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Carrying help: There will be some wagons available, but
if you have one, bring it. It will help you cart your finds.
Planting help: Master Gardeners will be available to answer
gardening questions. So, if you’re not sure what to
plant where, check with them before you buy.
Temporary and permanent: Along with the vendors inside the
shed, the permanent garden shops also will be open. Plus,
you always can buy some already grown fruits and veggies
at the market.
Still the same spot: The state Farmers Market has not moved
— it’s still on Bluff Road, across from Williams-Brice
Stadium.
IF YOU GO
Midlands Plant and Flower Festival
WHERE: State Farmers Market, 1001 Bluff Road
WHEN: Thursday, April 17, through Sunday, April 20
HOURS: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; noon-5 p.m.
Sunday
PARKING AND ADMISSION: Free
WHAT'S NEXT: The Piedmont Plant and Flower Festival is May
1-4 at the Greenville State Farmers Market.
SATURDAY, APRIL 19:
The Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia will host its
annual Green Thumb Festival.
You’ll find all sorts of pass-along plants, roses,
perennials, annuals and shrubs for sale.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garden Club
Council Building at Maxcy Gregg Park at Blossom and Pickens
streets. Proceeds will be used for community beautification,
educational programs and council building maintenance.
COMING UP:
Mark your calendars for April 26. That’s when Riverbanks
Botanical Garden holds its annual plant sale, offering more
than 40 species of garden favorites totaling more than 4,000
plants.
The sale runs from 9 a.m. until noon in the garden’s
growing center at the end of Seminole Drive in West Columbia.
Arrive early if you have your heart set on a particular
plant.
Back by popular demand, the most coveted plant from last
year’s sale: Colocasia ‘Coffee Cups’ elephant
ear. This plant has a nearly black stem and concave leaves.
It can reach as high as 6 feet tall.
New this year: Solenostemon ‘Lazy Alligator’
a new coleus hybrid that is being introduced by Riverbanks,
and Alpinia ‘Sun Spice,’ a ginger with variegated
leaves.
Most plants will range from $5 to $10. Admission to the
sale is free if you arrive at the Seminole Drive entrance.
Also April 26, the Richland County Master Gardeners hold
their annual plant sale. Annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs,
vines and trees all grown and gathered by the Master Gardeners
will be available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sparkleberry Country
Fair, Sandhill Research and Education Center, 900 Clemson
Road. |
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