The Sampson County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association is preparing for one of its signature community events — the annual fall plant sale — set for Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension office. The event will take place rain or shine.
Ann Butler, president of the association, said fall is one of the best times of year to plant.
“Fall is the ideal time for planting. Our outdoor temperatures and humidity are typically pleasant, the soil is generally softer, and there are less plant pests we have to battle,” Butler explained. “With that thought in mind, the Sampson County Master Gardener Volunteers look forward to holding our fall plant sale. At this one-day event, we look forward to offering customers a variety of landscaping plants that will make your yard pop with color in 2026.”
This year’s sale will feature a wide range of trees and shrubs, including azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hydrangeas, figs, oaks, redbuds, and weeping willows. Low-maintenance perennials such as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and coreopsis — all attractive to essential pollinators — will also be available.
Eleanor Bradshaw, a longtime member of the association, shared her personal journey with the program.
“For many years, I would go to gardens or arboretums and be greeted by Master Gardeners. I was so impressed with their knowledge and compassion for gardening that I wanted to become a Master Gardener myself,” Bradshaw recalled. “When I retired, that was one of the first things I did. We meet once a month for updates on educational programs, and throughout the month we work in our garden and greenhouse. We grow our own plants that we sell to the public.”
Bradshaw described the program as a true community outreach effort, one that reaches far beyond the sales.
“We go into schools and teach students about growing plants and being good stewards of the environment. We participate in the Square Fair and answer questions about lawns, pest control, and fertilizing. We work as a team to grow with love, whether propagating plants, starting them from seed, or sharing from our own gardens,” she said. “I love seeing my flowers bloom and sharing them with friends, and we would love to have more people join our team.”
Treasurer Susan Williams said the fall sale is not only about plants, but about building relationships.
“We enjoy doing the fall plant sale, and we look forward to seeing new customers as well as greeting our repeat customers who come year after year,” Williams said. “We learn as much from them about their plant experiences as we are able to share with them. That exchange is what makes this so rewarding.”
Williams added that the group has grown in knowledge and enthusiasm, even if its numbers remain modest. “We may not have large numbers, but we’ve grown by learning from each other. That’s growth too,” she noted, pointing out that new members who completed training in recent years have brought fresh energy to the program.
She also encouraged anyone interested in gardening to consider joining.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in gardening and learning more about trees, plants, and landscaping to consider taking the Master Gardener course,” Williams said. “It offers personal knowledge as well as the opportunity to share that information with others.”
The Sampson County Master Gardeners operate under the NC State Cooperative Extension Office, and volunteers must complete a 60-hour horticulture course featuring both classroom and hands-on instruction to become certified. Currently, the group includes about two dozen volunteers, with 25 members participating.
Williams said the fall sale is one of the group’s highlights of the year. “We love seeing our community turn out, and we’re excited to share the plants we’ve grown with care,” she said.
The Sampson County Master Gardener Volunteers’ Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the Cooperative Extension office, rain or shine.
For those unable to attend on the sale day, Butler encouraged residents to call the Extension office at 910-592-7161 to schedule an appointment.