March Mart, an annual fund-raising event held the fourth Friday and Saturday in March, is
March Mart 2011 was March 25-26, in 2012 it's March 23-24.
sponsored by The Mercer Society. The plant sale proceeds support special projects and educational programs at Mercer.
One of the Texas Gulf Coast area’s largest and most anticipated horticultural events, the sale attracts amateurs and experts alike. March Mart features a huge selection, more than 2,000 varieties, of quality plants rarely found at local retail nurseries. Exhibits by local garden clubs and organizations allow gardeners with similar interests to share ideas and information.
This event is conducted by hundreds of volunteers and more than 120 experts will be on hand to answer horticultural and gardening questions. Throughout the year, dozens of volunteers labor to select the plants sold at March Mart, raising many of the plants from seeds, plugs, or cuttings, often from Mercer’s own plant collections.
If you would like to consider helping sponsor March Mart, more details are available.
VIP Shoppers Shop Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Become a VIP Shopper and enjoy early entrance to the sale, a special plant holding area,
a VIP air conditioned lounge, and a motorized vehicle to help you check out and transport your plants to your car.
When you join The Mercer Society at the $100 supporting member level or higher, you will receive a special VIP wrist band to wear during the sale.
Volunteer for March Mart
There are many ways to volunteer during March Mart. Complete this form or call and (281) 443-8731 for details. Planning begins in September and the March Mart committees meet the first Wednesday of each month. Here are some of the ways you can help.
Prior to Sale
- Collect soft drink cardboard case boxes
- Labeling and pricing
- March Mart preview slide show (sell memberships and work with the volunteer recruitment booth)
- Miscellaneous assistance (anytime)
- Unload plants (Monday through Thursday before the sale, morning and afternoon)
- Water plants (mornings only)
During the Sale
Volunteer for March Mart before, during or both.
- Café help: prepare and serve lunch items, soft drinks, and baked goods. Also need a cashier for the café
- Cashier: total the sales tickets and collect money
- Information booth: distribute layout maps and provide information on memberships
- Monitor: check for sales tickets at exit gates, use people-counter device to track number of visitors
- Office help: Thursday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Plant information: help customers locate plants, as well as give advice on plants
- Regrouping plants: Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Stocker: help keep tables stocked with inventory from the greenhouse and stocking areas
- Ticket writer: write sales tickets
- Volunteer check-in: check in volunteers arriving to work their shifts
- Wagon check-out and check-in
- Work in plant pick-up area loading plants into vehicles
March Mart Plant Guide
March Mart Plant Guide Books are available at no cost to VIP members. These comprehensive books provide cultural information on all of the plants sold at March Mart. Listings are cross referenced to lists that identify plants best suited for butterflies and birds. Keys in the guide designate light, water, soil and many other plant requirements. The plants sold at March Mart are selected for their tolerance of a typical Houston climate. The previous year’s Plant Guide Book is available for sale ($10 each) in the Mercer Gift Shop. The current year’s guide book is generally available one to two weeks before the event for those who wish to study it and plan their purchases.