Planting with Purpose:

The Story of the TN Native Plant Sale 

by Kathy Doss

Native plants are essential to our ecosystems, providing food and shelter for countless species while adding natural beauty to our gardens. With the goal of incorporating more natives into my own yard, I recently attended the TN Native Plant Sale hosted by the Wilson County Master Gardeners. The sale showcased an incredible selection of hardy, locally-grown plants, and the sheer number and diversity of native Middle Tennessee species on display was enough to make me a little giddy. I wasn’t alone in my excitement; the event was packed with enthusiastic, like-minded gardeners. 

The plants were neatly organized by their sun requirements, with each one tagged with a bar-coded label listing its price, common and Latin names, and the number of insect species it supports. Plants that serve as keystone species (those that support a disproportionately large number of insect species) were clearly marked making it easy to find the ecological superstars.

I left the sale not only impressed by the event itself but also curious about how such a well-run fundraiser came together. So, I asked. What I found was that the secret lies in a blend of:

• a knowledgeable and devoted mentor
• a capable project leader
• strong partnerships with government, community organizations, and local businesses
• tenacious Master Gardeners
• more than 100 hardworking volunteers.

The sale’s roots trace back 10 years to Linda Robertson (pictured), a Master Gardener and native plant enthusiast. The first sale was just a single shelf of plants, all grown by Linda herself, at a Cedars of Lebanon Park festival. Thanks to Linda’s expertise and her willingness to use her own property as a growing site, the sale expanded year after year. As it outgrew Linda’s space, Cedars of Lebanon State Park stepped in to offer a new home. A fence, shed, and gravel pad have been constructed at the Sadie Ford Heritage Farm (now part of Cedars of Lebanon State Park) to serve as a plant nursery and a space for educational programs. 

This year, the project was led by Master Gardener Debbie Williams. The process began in December by planting seeds that were then stored in the shed on the Sadie Ford site. Many of the seeds were collected locally, with only those that couldn’t be sourced locally purchased from Roundstone Native Seeds in Upton, KY. Only as a last resort, seeds are ordered from outside the area. In January, weekly workdays kicked off, as volunteers moved the seeds outside and protected them with row covers. By March, the seedlings were beginning to grow and were transferred into individual pots, a task that the Master Gardener interns particularly enjoyed helping with. By May, there were 5,100 plants ready to go, but there was still more to do.

Joy Boven, the entrepreneur at Wonder Gift and Garden in Kingston Springs, TN, recommended hardware and software needed to print bar-coded tags. Master Gardeners Carol Stroud and Connie Williams took the lead in researching and procuring the equipment. Carol even volunteered as a cashier at the Nashville Herb Society plant sale to gain first-hand experience with the technology and ensure everything ran smoothly.

Although the plant sale was pulled off without a major hitch, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The park's Assembly Hall, the intended venue, became unavailable just days before the event. A flurry of activity ensued, and the sale was successfully moved to a tent canopy. Internet service in the park was spotty and weak, but a quick-thinking Master Gardener held the hotspot high in the air outside the tent in order to keep credit card sales moving.

In the end, the TN Native Plant Sale was a true win-win-win: it benefits the Master Gardener program, it delights customers, and it supports our environment. As project manager Debbie Williams summed it up, “The sale is a lot of work, but it’s a huge win for our organization, for our customers, and for our natural world.”

The New Small Space Food Production Extension Publication Series

Recently, UTHort wrapped up their monthlong Small Space Food Production webinar series. The live sessions allowed gardeners to "zoom in" during their lunch break to learn all about selecting and managing fruit and vegetable crops for a variety of small space gardens in Tennessee. From raised beds to containers, horticulture Extension team members from around the state covered topics on site selection, media choices, and containers while highlighting the best vegetables, fruits, and herbs to grow in these small spaces.

The series was a great place to begin or further your learning, as well as hear about the newest trials and updates from UT about vegetables and small fruits. If you missed the series, you can still benefit from all of the great information that was shared. Several new publications were unveiled that consolidate much of the introduced information. You can also watch past talks on UTHort's YouTube channel.

Orchid Lovers, Nashville Zoo is For You

"ZooFlora: An Orchid Safari transforms the wooded path, across from Festival Field and near Wild Animal Carousel, into a vibrant journey through global plant life. This immersive walk-through experience features stunning displays of over 50 species of orchids and other companion plants.

From the deserts of the American Southwest to the lush rainforests of Sumatra, ZooFlora transports you across continents without ever leaving the Zoo. Each installation brings the beauty and diversity of the natural world to life, offering an unforgettable encounter with some of nature’s most spectacular blooms."

ZooFlora: An Orchid Safari runs through July 6 and is included with general admission. For peak bloom viewing, they recommend visiting as soon as possible!

While you're there, don't forget to visit the Grassmere Historic Farm and Croft House historic gardens, cultivated and maintained by the Davidson County Master Gardeners.

Summer camp just for adults? Yes, please! Learn how to make plant-based mocktails, tour the Gardens, build terrariums and create floral arrangements, too. This three-day camp will be a great way to make friends, let loose, and just get outside this summer in beautiful Knoxville, Tennessee! More info can be found here. Limited spots may remain.

Calling all home gardeners! The 34th Summer Celebration is scheduled for July 10 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.

This year, we are excited to bring back a fan-favorite tradition: an event theme! For 2025, it's Come for the Show, featuring all your favorite activities but with a Hollywood twist. This includes:

• Educational Presentations
• Garden Tours
• Children's Crafts
• Plant Sales
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Wagon Tours 
• Plant Diagnostics
• Local Vendors
• And more!

There is no cost to attend, so we hope to see you there!

Growing right along! Rose Bedwell submitted this photo of the garden in early June.

This issue of The Leaflet is dedicated to the memory of Sumner County Master Gardener Dale Young. She was a generous and passionate friend and volunteer who devoted her life to helping others. She is also the reason I became a Master Gardener. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time. Rest easy, my friend.

-Stacey