Pollen’s in the air, and we’re barreling into April—a whole month of plant sales and near-perfect garden-puttering weather. This list of recommendations is nowhere near comprehensive, but it’s a start based on problems you may be facing. 

Gardener’s dilemma: What do I plant where? For newer gardeners or folks unsure where to start, I’d head to one of our local nurseries for regionally appropriate advice. Both Sunrise Nursery (sunrisenursery.info) in Winterville and Cofer’s Home and Garden (cofers.com) on Mitchell Bridge Road have a wide selection of plants without it feeling too overwhelming. Both spots also employ helpful staff who can make suggestions about what might fit best in your garden. Sunrise offers planting plans as part of its service. Cofer’s sports more of the “outdoor living” accessories you might need—fire pits, bird houses, soil amendments, etc. Both are worth a visit this spring. 

Gardener’s dilemma: I’ve got money, but not a lot of time. There are several places to make your plant purchases online, and then schedule a pickup for your beauties when you have a free minute. Shopping for 3 Porch Farm (3porchfarm.com) is available online only starting Mar. 28. Customers will choose a time and day to pick up their plants at checkout. It has a good selection of tomatoes and peppers, as well as a wide array of hellebores. If you’re looking to boost your medicinal herb garden, Heartsong Herbs (heartsongherbs.com) is likely your best bet. Heartsong allows online ordering and has pickups scheduled for Apr. 11 and 18. 

Gardener’s dilemma: I have time, but not a lot of money. Grower’s Outlet (growersoutlet.com) in Loganville is the place to get a bunch of plants for cheap. The downsides are you’ll have to drive there—and depending on gas prices, and what you drive, it might be a pricier option than years past. It’s a busy spot with a lot of item turnover. Good deals get bought fast. If you’ve got your heart set on one particular thing, buying from here is not the best bet. If you’ve got an ever-expanding plant wish list, you’ll likely cross off a few things in one trip, and probably add a handful of must-haves for the future, too.

Gardener’s dilemma: I love the idea of gardening, but I kill plants. You can still call yourself a gardener if you get out there and try! I’d suggest one (or all three) UGA plant sales. You’ll find natives and plants that do well in the heat and humidity of a Northeast Georgia summer. Added bonus: If you kill the plants, your money still went to a good cause. UGA Trial Garden’s spring plant sale (ugatrial.hort.uga.edu) is Saturday, Apr. 11 from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. The trial garden samples lots of new, interesting varieties and tests if those plants thrive in the Southern climate. This is the place to find wacky new coleus shapes, funky petunia colors and caladiums no neighbor has yet. If you like to be on top of gardening trends, this could be the sale for you. 

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia (botgarden.uga.edu) will have its spring plant sale Apr. 17–18. There’s an early preview of the sale Apr. 16, if you’re a Friends of the Garden member. I see the most serious, decades-of-experience gardeners loading up full carts here. 

Then, my personal favorite, is the UGA Horticulture Club (facebook.com/ugahortclub) plant sale Apr. 3–5 and 10–12. The stock changes from sale to sale, so there’s always something new. I usually end up spending cash on a few fancy trees or some hard-to-find ornamental shrubs because the prices are so good. I like supporting the next generation of plantspeople, too. 

Gardener’s dilemma: I really kill my veggie plants. If you’ve got a serious case of black thumb, I suggest going to one of the local farmer’s markets for plants as well as advice. Marigold Market (marigoldcollectivewinterville.com) has an online ordering form with a lot of stock from three area farms. Pick up will be Saturday, Apr. 18. Other farmers at the Athens Farmer’s Market (athensfarmersmarket.net) usually bring some extra seedlings for sale in the spring, though there’s not an organized sale. Master Gardeners are a regular presence at both markets and a great resource if you’re stuck in the weeds of gardening—literally or figuratively.

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