By Hannah Isenhour
Southeastern Community College
Southeastern Community College will host its second annual Spring Plant Sale fundraiser on April 1 and 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the campus greenhouse next to the Cartrette Building. All proceeds will support students in the Agribusiness Technology program. Agribusiness instructor Dawn Hinshaw said the sale will feature a wide selection of vegetables and bedding plants like those found in traditional garden centers.
“The most important thing to know about the plant sale is that every plant is grown by Southeastern students,” she said. “They began preparing cuttings and dividing ferns in the fall and then planted seeds for the varieties that will be ready on April 1.”
This year’s selection will include petunias, begonias, dahlias, hanging baskets, squash, peppers, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon and more. Hinshaw said she enjoys seeing the community get excited about plants, noting that the weeks leading up to the event are her favorite time of year because of the visible growth and return of green foliage.
She emphasized the benefits of buying directly from SCC’s greenhouse. Hanging baskets will be priced at $12 and geraniums at $5—values she noted are difficult to find at larger retail stores.
“You’re supporting local students, and our prices will be lower,” she said.
Hinshaw also offered guidance for early‑season plant buyers. Because frost is still possible in early April, customers should pay attention to the weather and know how to protect new plants. Buying directly from the greenhouse also allows customers to speak with knowledgeable staff and students about plant care.
“If the ground is wet, don’t water your plants,” she advised. “If the ground is dry, water it. The biggest issues people face are overwatering or not watering at all.”
To help keep vehicles clean, she shared a tip from last year’s shoppers: line the trunk or back seat with inexpensive shower curtains to catch any loose soil or water. Students and staff will be available to help transport purchases to vehicles as needed.
Working in the greenhouse provides students with meaningful hands‑on experience. They build relationships, learn teamwork and gain an understanding of physical labor, Hinshaw explained.
She also used recent class discussions to illustrate real‑world impacts of tariffs and policy changes. Typically, she purchases plant plugs from a company in Canada, but this year she sourced materials from a North Carolina‑based supplier instead.
“It was a valuable learning experience for the students,” she said.
Following the April 1–2 event, the greenhouse will reopen on April 21 from 3–5 p.m., with additional sale dates to be announced on SCC’s social media channels as supplies remain available through the end of the semester.
