April is the month when many folks start visiting local garden centers to buy plants for their gardens. Many plant sales are also held in April or early May. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all physical plant sales have been cancelled and garden centers have been closed unless they’re a part of a larger store, like Lowe’s. So what can you do? Here are a few options where you can order plants and pick them up locally.

Since the annual Spruce Hill May Fair has been cancelled, the University City Garden Club is holding an online plant sale (until 11 a.m. on Monday, April 20). There is a large selection of annuals and perennials, and herb and vegetable plants. Orders will be available for pickup on Saturday, May 2 on Woodland Terrace near the 40th Street Trolley Portal. Go here for more info and to shop. 

Clark Park Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and you can shop for some plants there.

Greensgrow has closed their West Philly location until further notice, but is holding sales online (go here for more info). Unfortunately, you will have to go to their main location in Kensington to pick up your order.

Bartram’s Garden has cancelled its annual Spring Plant Sale but may have safer options to offer plants (and plant advice) in the upcoming weeks. UPDATE (April 23, 2020): An online plant sale is on at Bartram’s Garden! When you place your order online, please choose a time for safe curbside pick-up. Go here to shop online. Pre-orders close on May 10th.