Updated for 2024!
So, you’re planning on attending the annual Rockway Gardens Plant & Bulb Sale, presented by GardenKitchener? With a little pre-planning you can make the most of this special event! Read on for complete event details, as well as bulb storage and planting tips!
When should I arrive?
As early as you like – entry to the sale will be on a first-come, first served basis. Based on past years, we know we have a group of very passionate members who are super dedicated to this event, and who will likely start lining up well before 7:00 a.m. to secure the chance to purchase their favourite bulbs.
A reminder that bulb quantities are limited! If you are very concerned about being able to purchase specific bulbs, we recommend you plan to arrive as early as possible. Please keep in mind that the early morning will be a very busy time for sale set-up. Try to be patient with volunteers and avoid blocking main walkways.
• Beginning at 7:30 a.m., volunteers will distribute numbered tickets to 2024 GardenKitchener members who have joined the line. These numbers will indicate each member’s position in line. Once you have a number, you will be free to roam until your number is called to enter the sale.
• The sale will open promptly at 9:00 a.m. At that time, members will be invited to enter in small batches, according to the number displayed on their ticket. When your number is called, you may enter the sale space to browse and make your purchases.
• At 10:30 a.m. the sale will open to the general public. At this time, non-members will be invited to take a numbered ticket and join the lineup.
Tell me more about the numbering system:
For this year’s sale, we’re implementing a take-a-number system to ensure a smoother experience for attendees.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m., our volunteers will distribute numbered tickets to 2024 GardenKitchener members who have started to line up. These numbers will indicate each member’s position in line. (It’s not a lottery system – the number you receive will reflect your actual position in the line.) After receiving your numbered ticket, you’ll have the flexibility to sit, stand, or wander the grounds nearby while you await your turn to enter the sale.
When the sale opens promptly at 9:00 a.m., volunteers will call the first batch of numbers and invite the members with those tickets to enter the sale. The next batch of numbers will be called as the first members finish making their purchases and space in the sale area opens up. It’s our hope that this process will prevent overcrowding and keep members flowing through the sale space efficiently.
Some other important notes:
- You must have proof of a 2024 GardenKitchener membership to take a number before 10:30 a.m. To ensure you have proof of your membership (a digital membership card), you must purchase your 2024 membership online by 4pm on May 24th, 2024. Volunteers will be on-site selling memberships and distributing membership cards at the sale, but not until after 9:00 a.m.
- Members must be prepared to show their proof of membership throughout the sale: first to take a number, a second time to enter the sale space once their number is called, and once more at the time of purchase.
- Members may not collect more than one number. You may not collect a number on behalf of another person who is not in line, member or non-member.
What should I bring with me?
- Proof of membership (digital membership card).
- A wagon, as well as boxes, bags, or trays to help transport your bulbs from the sale to your car. Bulbs and plants can get heavy!
- Cash! Payment via e-transfer will also be accepted, however cash is preferred. If you plan on using e-transfer, please have your device and application set up ahead of time, to ensure efficiency. E-transfer payments will be sent to treasurerkhs200@gmail.com. Payments via credit or debit will not be accepted.
- Old plant pots, trays or mesh bulb bags from last year’s sale, that you’d like to donate back to the Rockway Gardens team. They’re always looking for additional containers to help with transporting plants throughout the year. You can also drop these items off at the Garden House anytime between 8am and 3pm, throughout the summer season.
Where can I park?
Due to new restrictions on Floral Crescent, on-street parking is very limited. Please use the parking lot at the Rockway Centre, at 1405 King Street East. An area of Floral Crescent directly in front of the Garden House will be blocked off for use as a loading area, for those who have large / bulky items to transport. If you require additional, accessible parking arrangements, please reach out to us by emailing hello@kitchenerhs.ca.
What bulbs and plants will be available?
Click here for a list of the Tulip, Narcissus and Hyacinth bulbs that will be available for purchase at the sale. Quantities of each variety will vary, depending on where they were used in the Rockway Gardens displays, and how well the bulbs survived the season. There will also be a number of different plants available for purchase, including perennials and vegetables. Plant varieties and numbers will not be known until the day of the event.
What are the purchasing limits?
To help ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to take home their favourite bulbs, GardenKitchener Members will be allowed to purchase a maximum of 15 bags of bulbs per membership. Within that, no more than 3 bags of the same bulb type may be purchased. Additional limits may be put in place on the day-of, for individual varieties, at the organizer’s discretion.
These limits will be removed once the sale is opened up to the public at 10:30 a.m. Members are invited to return to the sale a second time, after 10:30 a.m. if they wish to purchase additional bulbs.
What are the prices?
Bulbs will be $5 / bag for 2024 GardenKitchener members and $6 / bag for non-members.
Quantities of bulbs per bag vary:
- Premium Tulip Varieties – 6 bulbs per bag,
- Basic Tulips – 12 bulbs per bag,
- Narcissus – 10 bulbs per bag,
- Hyacinth, Species Tulips, and Specialty Bulbs – 8 bulbs per bag.
Plants will vary in price depending on size and variety. 2024 GardenKitchener members can expect to pay $3-$10 per plant, non-members can expect to pay $4-$12 per plant.
What do I do with the bulbs when I get home?
The best place to store bulbs is in the ground. Plant them at the back of your beds so that when your perennials start to grow, they’ll cover up the dying leaves of your bulbs. If you can’t get your bulbs in the ground right away, plant them up in pots and tuck them away somewhere outside. Keep them watered until they start to die back, then leave them until the leaves and stems pull off easily. Planting them right away means you won’t forget about them.
How deep should I plant my bulbs?
The usual advice is to plant them three times the depth of the bulb, so a two-inch tall bulb would be planted 6 inches below ground. Pro-Tip: Squirrels have short arms. Plant your tulips at least 8 inches deep and the squirrels can’t reach them. Also, bulbs have contractile roots, which means when they start to grow the roots will raise or lower the bulb in the ground to the proper level. Even if you happen to plant them upside-down (which you won’t) they’ll turn themselves right-side up. Squirrels and other critters seem to leave daffodils alone.
Do I need to add anything to the planting hole?
Most soil has all the nutrition plants needs. By leaving the leaves on the bulbs, the bulbs are gaining energy for next year.