New Video: Plant and Plug Sales at Auctions

A new beginner-friendly video is now available to help growers confidently participate in plug and plant sales held at Kentucky Produce Auctions. These sales provide an excellent opportunity for growers to expand the variety of flowers and vegetables they offer their customers without starting every crop from seed. Check out the video here.

The video walks viewers through the plug and plant sale process step by step, with a special focus on first-time buyers. It is organized into three clear sections that follow the flow of a typical sale day.

The first section explains how plants arrive at the auction, the types of flower and vegetable varieties commonly offered, and how buyers should inspect racks of plants before bidding begins. Viewers learn helpful tips for evaluating plant quality and keeping track of lots they may want to bid on during the sale.

The second section focuses on the bidding process itself. It explains the need to register in advance to receive a bidder’s card and emphasizes the importance of paying close attention to lot sizes, which can vary widely. Understanding how lots are grouped and sold can help buyers make informed decisions and avoid unexpected purchases.

The final section outlines what happens after the sale concludes. It explains how purchased plants are organized by bidder number and describes the load-out process so buyers know where to go and what to expect when picking up their plants.

Growers are encouraged to use two valuable resources associated with these sales: pre-listings of plants available before each plug and plant sale and price reports published after the sale. Both resources are available at https://ccd.uky.edu/pricereports/kypa and can help growers plan purchases, set budgets, and better understand pricing trends before attending a sale.