Friends School Plant Sale

One of the largest, if not THE largest plant sale happens next weekend at the MN State Fairgrounds.  The Friends School Plant Sale begins Friday May 6th and continues through Sunday May 8th.

With over 2,000 plant varieties, there’s bound to be something for everyone, green thumb or not.  Plus there’s always gift ideas for the friends and family who love to garden.  

To be prepared you may want to read up on how the sale works, check out the map, hours and tips.  You can find the need to know info here on their website.

This year, although the sale is back to an almost normal, there are important changes: 

• We will require proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test. Details are in the COVID Safety section. 
• Masks are required (also described in the COVID Safety section).

Important details and What’s new for 2022: 

The sale will return to something close to normal for 2022.

• You will NOT need a reservation time to shop at the sale. We will be using our usual wristband system. See Getting In for details.
• We will require proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test. Details are in the COVID Safety section. 
• Masks are required (also described in the COVID Safety section).
• The plant sale is back in the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, with more of the plants moved outside in front and other changes made to allow more space between tables, shoppers, and volunteers. We’ve made some major changes to the sale’s floor plan, so be sure to study the map. Highlights: the entrance goes into the outside fenced area, Perennials are outside along with the Info Desk, and the ­tallyers and cashiers are also outside what used to be the exit door. And we’ve added temporary plant parking: If you need to leave your plants and get more, you can park them (with your name) in a ­volunteer-supervised area near the entrance to the checkout line.  
• Everything will be sold in-person during sale hours. Seeds, bulbs, bareroots and mushrooms will not be for sale online this year. 
• The sale is back to its usual days and hours. The dates are Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 8.
• The printed catalog is back! The pdf will soon be posted in the Catalog section, and you can also see all the plants under Find Plants with photos, descriptions, and the ability to make your shopping list to print or use on your phone. 
• There are still no hanging baskets. But we have brought back the Outdoor/Indoor area within the Annuals section, and other cold-intolerant plants. They are generally located inside the Grandstand. 
• The Garden Fair is back, including the Minnesota Water Garden Society! There will not be any workshops in the Garden Fair, however. 
• There are over 480 new plant varieties in this year’s sale, including 151 annuals, 123 perennials, 61 shrubs or trees, 26 unusual and rare plants, and 74 vegetables.