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The Master Gardeners Greenhouse

Our greenhouse is the heart of our plant propagation and education programs. Operated entirely by dedicated volunteers, the greenhouse produces thousands of plants each year for our fundraising sales while serving as a hands-on learning environment for Master Gardener trainees and community members.

Greenhouse Operations

From early winter through late spring, our greenhouse buzzes with activity. Volunteers start seeds, take cuttings, pot up divisions, and nurture plants to maturity for our annual sales. This work supports our educational mission while giving volunteers invaluable hands-on experience with plant propagation.

What We Grow

Our plant selection focuses on varieties proven to thrive in our regional climate. You will find:

Perennials: Hardy flowering plants suited to local conditions
Herbs: Culinary and medicinal herbs for kitchen gardens
Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, and other garden favorites
Native Plants: Regional natives for wildlife gardens and restoration
Specialty Plants: Unusual varieties not found at typical garden centers

According to the University of Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, proper seed starting and plant propagation techniques are fundamental skills for both home gardeners and horticultural professionals. Our greenhouse provides the perfect environment to learn these essential skills.

Hands transplanting seedlings

Annual Plant Sales

Our plant sales are a community tradition and our primary fundraising activity. Plants are offered at reasonable prices, with all proceeds supporting our educational programs, demonstration gardens, and community outreach.

Plant sale vegetable seedlings
Spring Plant Sale
Our largest sale of the year coincides with the Spring Garden Fair. Arrive early for the best selection of vegetables, herbs, and perennials just in time for spring planting.
Perennial garden
Perennial Sale
Throughout the growing season, we offer perennial plants at our weekly sales. These hardy, established plants are ready to go in the ground and will reward you with years of beauty.

Volunteer Opportunities

The greenhouse offers some of our most popular volunteer opportunities. Working in the greenhouse, you will learn:

Seed starting techniques and timing
Vegetative propagation methods
Transplanting and potting procedures
Greenhouse climate management
Integrated pest management in enclosed environments
Plant care and customer service skills

Greenhouse shifts are available throughout the growing season. Whether you can give a few hours or commit to a regular schedule, there is a role for you. Contact us to learn about current volunteer needs.

Educational Programs

Beyond plant production, our greenhouse hosts educational activities including:

Seed Starting Workshops

Learn to start your own seedlings at home

Propagation Demonstrations

Hands-on practice with plant propagation techniques

Youth Programs

School field trips and youth gardening activities

The greenhouse demonstrates sustainable practices that home gardeners can adapt to their own situations, from starting seeds under lights to extending the growing season with cold frames and row covers.

Wellness Benefits of Greenhouse Volunteering

Working in a greenhouse environment offers unique wellness advantages that extend beyond the satisfaction of growing plants. The controlled, warm atmosphere provides a welcome respite during cold months, and the physical tasks involved offer gentle, purposeful exercise. Volunteers frequently report that greenhouse sessions reduce stress and improve their sense of well-being.

The fine motor skills required for activities like seed sowing, pricking out seedlings, and taking cuttings help maintain hand dexterity and coordination. For retirees and older volunteers, these activities contribute to maintaining cognitive sharpness and physical capability. The social dimension of working alongside fellow gardeners adds another layer of health benefit, as meaningful social engagement is consistently linked to improved outcomes in aging research.