Area gardeners get into the spirit at the Black Mountain Garden Sale

Annual bmbc fundraiser ‘like christmas for garden lovers’

Jessica Klarp
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
May 13, 2024

The 19th Annual Black Mountain Garden Sale will return to the Town Square Parking Lot, May 17 and 18. Photo by Fred McCormick

May is garden season in Western North Carolina. With the chance of freezing weather all but a memory, gardeners begin to think seriously about what to plant and how to improve their natural spaces. Black Mountain Beautification Committee (BMBC) annually hosts a popular garden sale that supports the organization’s mission to enhance the natural beauty of the town.

This year’s sale takes place over two days— from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 17, and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18, in the Black Mountain Town Square parking lot.

People from all over the region flock to the sale not only because of the beautiful plants and the variety of goods offered, but also for the good spirit of fun and community it brings.

The event, which supports the nonprofit BMBC, is returning for its 19th year.

 “We get so excited when it’s time to start planning for the garden sale,” BMBC Garden Sale Committee Chair Roynan Jones said. “It’s like Christmas for garden lovers. During the event, I get goosebumps seeing so many smiling faces surrounded by gorgeous plants and garden crafts.”

This year’s sale will feature prized annuals, carnivorous plants, cut flowers, edible shrubs, herbs, native plants, perennials, shrubs, trees and vegetable starts from specialty plant vendors. 

Nineteen vendors from throughout the region will attend the Black Mountain Garden Sale, May 17 and 18. The annual Black Mountain Beautification Committee fundraiser will feature a variety of plants and garden-related items. Photo by Fred McCormick

“I’m very happy with the variety of offerings we’ll have at this year’s sale - annuals, perennials, shrubs/trees and garden art,” said BMBC vendor coordinator Gail Bromer. “With 19 vendors from all over the region, and several new businesses, there will be something for everyone.”

Garden-related items will include garden décor, bee cabins, garden art and containers, wood carvings and other special items. Vendors in attendance will include Anne Stone Art, Belly Full Plants Nursery, Blue Ridge Exotics, Hidden Acre Nursery, High Country Nursery, Laurel Hill Nursery, Men's Garden Club of Asheville,Sister of Mother Earth Specialty Tropicals, Walkertown Farms and Wildwood Herbal.

Shari Galant and Renee Soulis head up a relatively new addition to the sale which is a members’ market tent. 

“The Members’ Market showcases items and services that BMBC members donate for us to sell at the event,” Galant said. “These range widely based on member talents and creative inspirations. Though we are still confirming this year’s Market items, in previous years the items have included jewelry, landscape consultation, professional sewing services, herb gardens, baskets filled with garden goodies, and a Veterinarian house call.” Adjacent to the members’ market there will be baked goods for sale.

Proceeds from the Garden Sale help support the Black Mountain Beautification Committee Seed Money Award and Community Improvement Award. Photo by Fred McCormick

The sale will include a raffle table, as guests will have the opportunity win a variety of plants, while BMBC volunteers will assist guests loading purchases into vehicles.

 “It is so special to have so many people come together to create a celebration of spring,” Jones said. “The BMBC garden sale is a labor of love; it is the love of spring, of gardening and our community.”

Proceeds from the Garden Sale help support the Seed Money Award and Community Improvement Award to keep Black Mountain beautiful. With over 90 active members who spread out across town cleaning up litter, decorating seasonally, maintaining greenspaces and assisting businesses to improve their natural spaces, the BMBC creates events to fund their efforts to maintain the natural appeal of this small town. The non-profit all volunteer organization has been working to keep Black Mountain beautiful since 2000.

For more information about BMBC or the Garden Sale visit blackmountainbeautification.org.