Perennials, shrubs, houseplants and some seedlings may be found at the Old South Congregational Church drop-in plant sale going on now at 125 Woodfield Drive in Farmington. Debbie Davis-Robinson

REGION — For many organizations and churches, plant sales have been a way to support community outreach, scholarships and other programs.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers have found ways to adapt and grow these sales which yield numerous benefits.

Old South Congregational Church in Farmington is holding a drop in plant sale through June 14 at 125 Woodfield Drive.

“Plants have a story,” organizer Debbie Davis-Robinson said in a phone interview Tuesday evening, May 25.

The church typically ran a two day plant sale in conjunction with a yard sale at the church, she said.

“Then COVID hit,” Davis-Robinson said. “Concerts were on hold, lunches and suppers too. A lot of the plants came from my garden so I offered to hold it here.”

Others in the community have donated plants and recycled pots, helped water so it’s become a wider-spread community event, she said. United Way of the Tri-Valley area has loaned signs, tables and tents, she noted.

“Digging in the dirt is healthy,” Davis-Robinson said. “A lot of people got into gardening with COVID-19. Others learned with their grandparents, now have a place of their own to continue that.

“Getting kids to learn how things grow, it helps fill people’s interest and desire to get out and garden,” she noted.

The drop in sale offers mostly perennials although some vegetable, herb and annual flower seedlings have been available from time to time. Some shrubs and houseplants have also been donated.

“I say it’s like Marden’s – you don’t know what you’re going to find,” Davis-Robinson said. “Everything is named and tagged with a price. Special growing conditions like shade versus sun are listed. Prices are reasonable, $0.50 to $25 depending on the plant.” Newer lilac varieties and shrubs tend to be at the higher end, she noted.

People from 50-60 miles away who were plant shopping and saw about it have come to the sale, Davis-Robinson said. Others were at the sale last year, had good luck with plants and returned, she said.

Proceeds help support outreach, community service and youth programs, Davis-Robinson said. The church building itself is an outreach, she added.

Suggested hours for the sale are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Be mindful of the neighborhood if coming earlier or later,” Davis-Robinson said.

Mt. Blue Area Gardening Club held a plant sale earlier this month. The club provides two $500 scholarships for Mt. Blue graduates entering an agriculturally related field.

“We raised enough money for the scholarships in two hours,” Davis-Robinson said.

Many local organizations hold plant sales to support their programming. The Tyngtown Club sale held at the Wilton Congregational Church on May 22 is seen here. Marylena Chaisson

The Tyngtown Club in Wilton uses its plant sale to support the children’s summer program at the local library, girls activities in town such as Fit Girls, organizer Chris Cox said at their sale May 22. Tyngtown has helped Franklin County Fiddlers with trips and donated to the Wilton Blueberry Festival, she noted.

“I’ve been here 32 years and Tyngtown has been doing a plant sale at least that long,” Cox said. The sale has been held at the Fire Department, Academy Hill School, the Lions Club hall and this year was at the Wilton Congregational Church because of COVID-19, she said.

“It worked out just fine,” she said. “People appreciate locally dug plants. They’re hardy, happy.”

Other organizations have plant sales coming up.

Mission at the Eastward (MATE) has a 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. sale at the Industry Town Hall Saturday, May 29. Mostly perennials will be available. Proceeds will support the MATE Youth Connection and scholarships to its partner camp, Camp Wilmont.

Shorey Chapel in Industry, the United Methodist Church in Farmington and Friends of Starling Hall in Fayette have plant sales planned in the coming weeks.