Annual Spring Plant Sale Survival Guide

Basic ideas to help you shop smartly at San Francisco Botanical Garden Society’s Annual Spring Plant Sale

This fantastic sale takes place on a Friday night (members only) and Saturday morning and afternoon.  The two days are actually quite different, though most of these ideas apply to both.

• The sale opens at 5pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday.  Arrive early and avoid parking trouble by using the nearby music concourse garage.  You can pull your car around to the parking lot behind the County Fair Building, located off of Lincoln Way across from 10th Ave when you’re done.  Volunteers will be there to help you.
• Grab a shopping cart or basket to carry your treasures.  Carts are at the entrance to the sale, or check by the cashiers.  There are also cardboard boxes under most of the plant tables.
• Make a plan - look at the floor plan before you shop, so you can start by looking for any particular plants you really want before they sell out.  You can also get the map at the door before you head in.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions of our friendly volunteers.  They are usually with their favorite plants and are very knowledgeable.
• The cashiers will accept cash, checks, and credit cards.  Check the signs above them to see which cashiers take which forms of payment.
• If you're tired of lugging all your plants around, park them at Will Call (by the cashiers).  You will be given a claim ticket.  There is no quantity limit! 
• Become a member, so you can attend the preview sale on Friday night to get first pick of plants and a shot at the extraordinary silent auction specimens.  Membership also gets you 10% off at the monthly plant sales, purchases at the Garden Bookstore, and discounts at more than 70 Bay Area nurseries to enjoy during the rest of the year.
  

Friday Night Sale

• Shopping carts and baskets are limited and sometimes all are in use on Friday.  In that case, you can use one of cardboard boxes that are stored under most of the tables with plants.
• After you’ve found those plants you simply must have, make the Friday night members-only preview sale a little more relaxed and casual by heading to the auditorium to get some food and wine to enjoy while you browse the rest of the plants and books and bid on the silent auction.
• Would you like to bring some friends along?  Avid Gardener, Student, and Senior Individual memberships all provide one admission to the Annual Plant Sale Preview on Friday night.  Senior Dual, Garden Friends, and Garden Lovers all receive admission for two people, and Garden Stewards, Garden Patrons and Strybing Circle members all receive additional guest passes to give to friends and colleagues.
• Not a member already? You can still come on Friday night and buy a membership while you wait to get in. You can also upgrade at the door to get a friend in.  If you have any questions, or would like to join or renew your membership by phone, please call our Membership Department at (415) 564-3239 ext. 301.

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