Make 2026 Your Best Garden Year Yet
Spring Open House | March 21st and 22nd
From workshops to shopping, education to crafts, ring in our favorite season with us and get set up for gardening success.
The Highlight Reel:
- Enjoy 10% off Gift Cards during Spring Open House
- Earn DOUBLE Loyalty Points on purchases
- Learn special tips and tricks from experts as you prepare for the garden season
- Take part in fun classes - from DIY Propagation Stations to favorite Spring Planters
- Check out new plants coming in 2026
- Earn a raffle ticket for each purchase of $25 or more and enter to win a basket inspired by one of our departments!
- Plant a Pansy! All day, both days, bring your own container or purchase one here and plant a pansy for spring. No sign up required. Soil is free, just pay for your pansies and happy planting!
- NEW for 2026: 60-second Plant Grab! See details for this brand new mini-event below!
- NEW for 2026: Firefly Friday Ticket Sales. Event ticket sale for a one-of-a-kind opportunity! See more below.
60-second Plant Grab
Get ready - TWO lucky Loyalty Members will get a 60-second plant grab in our greenhouse! Anything you can fit in your basket within a minute is yours - on us!
Event takes place Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd at 1:00 in the greenhouse. Loyalty Members can sign up for a chance to win at the link below. Winners will be pulled in a random drawing the week of event.
Not a Loyalty Member? It's free! Sign up in-store at our registers, then come back to this page to enter to win!
Winners have been notified.
Firefly Friday Ticket Sales
It really does glow in the dark!
We're excited to announce we're growing Firefly Petunias, the only plant you see when lights go off. The Firefly Petunia draws inspiration from the natural beauty of bioluminescence found in oceans and landscapes around the world. This extraordinary plant emits a sustainable, organic light driven by its own living energy.
Experience the glow for yourself at our special Firefly Friday event on Friday, March 27th from 5-8 p.m. $5 tickets for this unique event go on sale first at our Spring Open House - limited tickets are available!
Each ticket allows attendees the opportunity to see over 100 glowing plants, hear from our growers, and be the first to preorder this one-of-a-kind plant.
"Where can I get tickets?"
Tickets for this one-of-a-kind event first go on sale at our Spring Open House. Look for the table in our greenhouse! Any remaining tickets will go on sale to the public after Spring Open House. Limited quantity. First come, first serve.
The rest of this event - food trucks, yard games, crafts, and sampling with our Gourmet department - will be free and open to the public. Tickets required for entry to the Firefly Petunia experience.
Experts & Local Resources
Meet and connect with local experts and groups in the back of the greenhouse! See below for a schedule of who's-coming-when!
Penn State Master Gardener - Saturday & Sunday from 10-3
Carlisle Garden Club - Saturday from 10-3
Hershey Gardens - Saturday from 10-3
REACH Cyber - Sunday from 10-2 pm
Penn Cumberland Garden Club - Sunday from 10-3
Free Sessions
Pre-registration required as seating is limited
Join us at Spring Open House for free informational sessions with the managers of our Nursery (Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials)!
Pruning 101
Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd | 11 a.m. | FREE
Bring all your pruning, mulch, and outdoor landscape maintenance questions to this FREE session! Learn about the do's and don'ts of pruning for trees and ornamental shrubs in your landscape.
Save your seat by signing up:
Native Plants
Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd | 12 p.m. | FREE
Learn all about plants native to Central PA and the benefits of growing native plants in this informational session. Bring your questions about sustainable gardening and adding plants to help out pollinators.
Save your seat by signing up:
Daffodils
Saturday, March 21st | 10:30 a.m. | FREE
Since 2006, Anne Howell Wood has planted, shown, photographed, hybridized, and written a book about daffodils and some of the people who breed them. Deer and rabbits do not eat them! They come back every year if they have enough sunlight, water, and good soil. If they are not blooming for you, come to see Anne and find out why.
Presented by the Carlisle Garden Club & the American Daffodil Society
Save your seat by signing up:
Soil Health
Saturday, March 21st | 2 p.m. | FREE
Is your soil healthy? Learn how to evaluate and care for your soil to support a thriving garden. Explore soil health basics, including structure, nutrients, and simple practices like composting.
Presented by Hershey Gardens
Save your seat by signing up:
Great New Annuals and a Few Old Favorites
A Presentation by Penn State Master Gardener
Sunday, March 22nd | 10:30 a.m. | FREE
Each year, the PennState Master Gardener program plants a trial garden for new annuals. Hear from local Penn State Master Gardener, Janey Gunn, in a free presentation about 2025's great annuals (and a few old favorites!) at the back of our retail greenhouse.
Shade Gardening in the Colors of the Rainbow
Sunday, March 22nd | 1 p.m. | FREE
Join us for this engaging session led by Chrylann Deck, a member of the Penn Cumberland Garden Club
Save your seat by signing up:
Fantastic Food Trucks
Enjoy food from tasty local trucks at this event! The following food trucks plan to be in attendance:
- Hecker's Handhelds (Saturday, 10-3)
- Trailer Trash Chili Dogz (Saturday, 10-3)
- Kettle Jack (Saturday + Sunday, 10-3)
*Food truck attendance may be subject to change
Know a food truck that may be interested in attending? Have them send an email to our Marketing Manager!
Pre-Registration Required
Sign up for craft and gardening classes - perfect for personal projects or activities with friends. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon.
*As a reminder, if you sign up and are no longer able to attend a class, please cancel your order or contact us as soon as possible. For classes that have filled up, cancelling your order allows for someone else to attend in your place. We set limits on most of our classes based on limitations with space and materials. Thank you for understanding!
Spring Bulb Garden
March 21st | 11 a.m. | $40
Come plant a colorful bulb garden with a mix of hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils. The perfect centerpiece to welcome spring into your home!
Watch the bulbs burst to life in your home, then transfer to the ground for blooms in years to come.
Registration required, sign up at the link below:
Macramé Air Plant Hanger
March 21st | 12 p.m. | $20
Learn the basics of Macramé and air plant with this beginner-friendly class. Make and take a beautiful air plant holder with an air plant to fit!
All materials and an air plant included.
Registration required, sign up at the link below:
Pressed Pansy Pots
March 21st | 1 p.m. | $20
Join Jen Vogelsong of Bit of Glory Creations for a relaxing workshop transforming a standard terracotta pot into botanical art.
All materials provided, with pansies grown here at Ashcombe.
Registration required, sign up at the link below:
Spring Porch Pot
March 21st | 1 p.m. | $50
Featuring pansies, tall grasses, and spring decor in a 14" pot. With so many colors and options to choose from, each pot is unique!
All materials provided.
Registration required, sign up at the link below:
DIY Propagation Station
March 21st | 2 p.m. | $15
Learn the basics of hydroponic propagation! Each attendee will curate a stylish ball vase with colorful stones and plant cuttings, plus receive tips and tricks for taking your own propagations.
All materials provided, including a vase, colorful marbles and stones, and plant cuttings.
Registration required, sign up at the link below:
Veggie Gardening in Containers
March 22nd | 11 a.m. | $10
Learn tips and tricks for growing veggies in containers - perfect for those with limited outdoor space looking to break past the barriers of apartment living to grow fresh food at home.
This class includes a free tomato plant.
Registration required, sign up at the link below: