JCMG Plant Sale & Flea Market 2025

Gardening enthusiasts, call your friends to let them know the Johnson County Master Gardeners (JCMG) will host its 16th annual Plant Sale & Flea Market on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buildings B & C.

“Gardeners will want to attend this opportunity to purchase beautiful plants for your home and garden. The biggest draw for shoppers is the plants grown exclusively by Master Gardeners,” said Emil Rinderspacher, sale coordinator. “Master Gardener volunteers plan and work weeks in advance of the sale to start vegetables and get their plants ready. It is our biggest event of the year — hundreds of hours are involved in the preparation.

“The timing of the sale is also important — the day before Mother’s Day — is intentional,” he adds. “Shoppers always find a wide range of perennial flowers, vegetables and herbs, shrubs and woody plants and a wide selection the Flea Market items. The sale and market now operate out of two buildings at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.”

Flea Market accepts donations from the public

The popular Flea Market offers a generous supply of reasonably priced garden items, including previously owned garden tools, plant containers, equipment, and yard art.

Rinderspacher said area residents can donate used garden items to the Master Gardeners program for the Flea Market. “All items must be clean and in working order and we do not accept chemicals or fertilizers.” Flea Market donations can be dropped off on Thursday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the south entrance to Building C at the fairgrounds. Iowa City residents are encouraged to contact city officials about the Swap Shop for partially-consumed or unopened products such as paint, cleaning supplies, and auto fluids.

Proceeds from the annual JCMG Plant Sale & Flea Market support JCMG programs and operations, Kirkwood Community College Horticulture Scholarships and 4-H Awards.

Organized in 1982, Johnson County Master Gardeners is a volunteer-based service and education program sponsored by Iowa State University and Johnson County Extension and Outreach. Through its programs and projects, Master Gardeners provides current, research-based, home horticulture information, service, and education to Iowa residents. Master Gardeners receive horticulture training and volunteer to promote a mission of service and education.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext