Where do the plants for the sale come from?
Sale plants are grown by our very own horticulture team with help from our partners in the horticulture programs at Colorado State University. When our Spring Plant Sale concludes, our team immediately begins prepping for the next year!
What's the difference between shopping on Saturday vs. Sunday?
Saturday is the best day to shop if you are looking for the most extensive selection or a specific type of plant from our plant list. We expect to see larger crowds on the first day of the sale, full of serious plant lovers!
Sunday is great for a relaxed shopping experience. You can look forward to added amenities like lawn games to enjoy while you are shopping and exploring. While we can’t guarantee what our inventory will be on Sunday–it’s different every year–we are usually still very well-stocked with vegetable starts and have a variety of perennials and annuals to explore.
What is your return policy?
All purchases are final. No refunds, returns or exchanges are available for live plants once they have left our care.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes, you really need a ticket! To manage our operational capacity, every single adult (ages 18+) who enters The Gardens during the sale will need to have a Plant Sale ticket, which is free and can be reserved online.
What if I forget to bring a box?
We will have a very limited number of boxes onsite in case people forget or need another box, but we might run out! Also, consider bringing a wagon to transport your plants to your vehicle.
I don’t want to shop, I just want to visit The Gardens! Can I do that?
You are welcome to visit us, even if you don’t plan to shop. However, in order to manage our overall capacity, you will need to have a free Plant Sale ticket to enter The Gardens. Please note: the Butterfly House will be closed during the sale.
How do I reserve a ticket?
You can reserve your free ticket online for the date and time of your choice. Reservations are open to the public on the following schedule for 2026:
Ticket(s) will be emailed to you, and you will need to show this to enter the sale.
I’m worried all the plants I want will already be sold out by my time slot–what should I do?
We are growing tens of thousands of plants for our sale, so rest assured that there should be a wonderful and full selection of plants, no matter when you shop.
That said, the most extensive selection will be available on Saturday due to limited quantities of certain harder-to-find plant varieties. If you are seeking very specific plants or hoping for the most options, we recommend picking an earlier time slot on Saturday. Members will receive first access to the reservation system, with exclusive first access available to our Members at the Contributing Membership level and above. Consider becoming a Member or upgrading your Membership to gain early access!
Can I re-enter the event later? I might want to buy more plants!
We can relate! Once you enter the sale, you cannot exit and re-enter later. If you want to return to the sale at a later time or the next day, you will need to reserve another ticket. Keep in mind tickets might sell out, especially on Saturday.
Can I cancel my ticket or change my time?
Yes. If you can no longer make your time, please email us at Gardens@fortcollins.gov with your full name and the date / time of your ticket so we can cancel it and open your shopping slot to another person. To change your time, please reserve another ticket online for your new preferred time and then contact us so we can release your previous reservation.
Will the Butterfly House be open?
No, the Butterfly House will be closed during the Plant Sale.