Master Gardener plant sale returns to Twin Lakes Park on Saturday

AI-generated illustration. of flowering nursery plants, herbs, succulents and cacti with a carrying box and garden wagon. Inspired by the story and Sarasota.

Sarasota County's Master Gardener Volunteers will sell about 2,700 plants this Saturday, Oct. 10, at their 20th annual Plant Sale/EdFest, held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Twin Lakes Park, 6600 Clark Road. The park sits east of Interstate 75 off Clark Road.

Admission is free and no registration or tickets are needed, according to UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Plant prices vary, and organizers told WWSB they accept cash, checks or charge cards.

What's on the tables

The plants were propagated at UF/IFAS Extension by the volunteers, WWSB reported. The Extension lists hundreds of perennials for shade or sun, along with herbs, groundcovers, wildflowers, native plants and butterfly-garden favorites; WWSB's list also includes ornamentals, succulents and cacti. The timing lines up with Native Plant Month in October.

Before buying, shoppers can walk the demonstration gardens on site, which show mature native and Florida-friendly plants, a useful preview of how big a young plant may grow. Master Gardeners will take questions, and Extension staff will be on hand to talk about county classes, programs and other services.

Before you go

Bring a wagon, cart or boxes to carry purchases. The Extension asks visitors to check its plant sale page for the latest details before heading out, and questions can go to 941-861-9807 or plantclinic@scgov.net.

Proceeds go to the Master Gardeners Chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, which supports the volunteers' education outreach in the county. The sale has come a long way from its early years, when volunteers grew plants at their own homes and sold them directly to customers.