Posted: May 28, 2025
The 2025 Penn State Extension Franklin County Master Gardener Plant Sale was successful! A total of 404 people attended this year's plant sale. Attendees lined up early to be the first to review this year's lineup of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetables, herbs, and ground covers, many of which were native and pollinator plants. By the end of the event, most of the plants had been sold.
2025 Franklin County Master Gardener Plant Sale. Photo Credit: Jennie Mazzone, Penn State.
This event is more than a fundraiser. We work to meet the mission of our program - to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. How do we do this? For each plant, we display a sign with the scientific name and its characteristics (e.g. size, light requirements, hardiness zone, native, pollinator-friendly, etc.). Master Gardeners, who have extensive knowledge in growing these plants, are there to answer questions from the public and offer helpful advice.
Because Master Gardeners grow many of the plants at the Franklin Extension greenhouse, they can choose unique and unusual varieties to introduce to customers. We offered heirloom tomatoes known for their complex flavor, disease-resistant cucurbits, annuals with bountiful blooms, perennials for sun and shade locations, woody plants that can be enjoyed for generations, and much more. Customers were encouraged to try the edible leaves of the salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and were very surprised that they tasted like cucumber. Instead of the traditional lemon-flavored lemon balm, we grew 'Mandarina', a cultivar with a unique orange/citrus flavor. Seeds were included with cilantro transplants along with information about succession planting so customers can enjoy cilantro all summer long!
Master Gardener Carol Kagan recounts, "The best part of the day for me was talking with our customers, answering questions, and sharing tips on growing different herbs. Throughout the event, I tried to keep count of how many people I talked with about our herbs. After 57, I lost count. Talking to people and sharing what I know about plants, especially herbs, is my favorite part of being a Master Gardener. So it was a great day for me!"
Master Gardeners hosted an information table to answer gardening questions and help customers select the best plants for their site. We also had a pollinator information table to showcase Penn State pollinator research and plants that provide pollinator food sources and habitat. Other exhibitors included Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, Field and Forage Crops, 4-H, and Conococheague Audubon Society.
Master Gardeners donated extra plants from this event to the CASD Scotland Elementary School and The Children's Aid Society of Franklin County.
Written By: Carol Kagan, Penn State Extension Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer and Jennie Mazzone, Penn State Extension Franklin County Master Gardener Coordinator
