Events

Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at Weenie Winter Wonderland Races on Saturday, February 22nd at 11AM at our Independence Blvd. location! Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or entering your own dachshund in the race, it's sure to be a fun-filled winter day. These speedy little pups will race for a chance to win exciting prizes from McDonald Garden Center!

HOW TO ENTER YOUR DACHSHUND
While the event is free to attend, if you’d like your dachshund to race, here’s how to get them in the running:

• Send a message to Cheryl Padden on Facebook or email cherylpadden824@gmail.com.
• Include a picture of your pup, their name, and your entry for the Weenie Winter Wonderland Races on February 22nd.
• Once entered, please arrive at our Independence Blvd. location by 10:30 AM for race check-in.

This tail-wagging event is free to attend, but we encourage donations! All funds raised will go directly to Paws Wide Open Rescue. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming, winter-themed race—join us for the fun and support a great cause!

Spring into a fresh start! The warmer weather is on its way, and we're starting the season off with a bang! Get ready for the ultimate Spring Showcase, happening from March 7th - 16th, 2025 at all of our locations. It's a ten-day extravaganza of in-store seminars, workshops, and great deals to get you on the right foot for the new season. See our list of events below to get started on your spring gardening journey: 

EVENT LIST (subject to change):

Sunday March 7th - 

• "Plants I Haven't Killed": A conversation on perennials with Sandy from Sandy's Plants (5:30pm)

Saturday March 8th - 

• Solutions to Moles & Voles (9:30am)
• Hoots & Houses: Birdhouse Workshop and Wildlife Showcase for Kids (11am)
• Expert Panel Q&A: Your Gardening Questions Answered (2pm)
• The Garden Guru Presents: Mastering Hydrangea Pruning (4pm)

Sunday March 9th - 

• Yoga in the Greenhouse with Alan Rogers (9:30am)
• DIY Landscape Design Workshop (11am)
• The Garden Guru Presents: Top 10 Must-Have Products for Spring (2pm)
• Zest for Success: Growing Healthy Citrus in Pots (4pm)

Saturday March 15th - 

• Creating Curb Appeal Presented by McDonald Landscapes (9:30am)
• Growing with the Guru: Starting from Seed (2pm)
• The Bros of Gardening Podcast Live Filming (4pm)

Sunday March 16th - 

• Garden Trains 101: Designing a Railway in Your Landscape with Alex (11am)

Join us at our Independence Blvd. location on March 7th at 5:30pm to kick off our Spring Showcase with an engaging conversation with Sandy McDougle, the founder of Sandy’s Plants. Sandy will be sharing her decades of expertise on perennials—specifically, the ones that thrive (and survive)! Since 1979, Sandy’s Plants has grown from a small backyard hobby to a 30-acre nursery with one of the largest selections of perennials on the East Coast.

Sandy’s deep knowledge comes from firsthand experience, testing and selecting the best perennials for our region. This seminar is your chance to learn from a true expert and discover resilient, beautiful plants to add to your landscape!

Get ready to give your garden a head start this spring! The Garden Pharmacy Open Clinic is the perfect opportunity to ensure your soil is in tip-top shape before planting season. Join us March 8th and 9th as well as the 15th and 16th during our Spring Showcase and take advantage of our free pH testing service. A proper pH level is essential for healthy plant growth, and our expert plant doctor will be on hand to help you understand your soil's needs. Plus, we're offering plant identification, help with insect and fungus issues, and a Plantscription for a healthy garden if need be.

The Garden Pharmacy Open Clinic is available at both of our year-round locations, with our Green team experts on hand so you can get the help you need. Take advantage of this chance to give your garden the best possible start this spring season!

Join us at our Independence Blvd Location on Sunday, Match 8th at 9:30am for a FREE seminar on ridding your yard of moles and voles! These small but mighty creatures can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden, but with the right knowledge and techniques, you can keep them at bay.

Our Green Team experts will share their expertise on effective and organic solutions to managing moles and voles, ensuring that your lawn and garden stays healthy and safe for you and the environment. With their expert guidance, you'll learn how to effectively identify and prevent mole and vole damage and learn about deterrents to keep them under control.

Spring is here, and with it comes plenty of gardening questions. Our expert panel is ready with answers. Join us at McDonald Garden Center’s Independence Blvd. location on Friday, March 8th at 2PM for an open discussion covering soil preparation, plant selection, pest control, and seasonal care. This is your chance to get professional advice tailored to your garden. Bring your questions, and let’s talk solutions.

This free seminar is a must for anyone looking to make the most of their spring garden. Join the conversation and grow with confidence!

Pruning hydrangeas can be tricky, but with the right knowledge, you can encourage healthier growth and bigger, better blooms. Join Mike Westphal, the Garden Guru, at McDonald Garden Center’s Independence Blvd. location on Friday, March 8th at 4PM as he breaks down the essential techniques for pruning different types of hydrangeas. With over 20 years of experience at McDonald Garden Center, Mike has helped countless gardeners achieve success in their landscapes. This seminar will teach you when and how to prune for the best results, while avoiding common mistakes that can prevent flowering.

Regardless if it is a bigleaf, panicle, or smooth variety—each type of hydrangea has different pruning needs. Learn the best approach for each and take the guesswork out of maintaining these beautiful shrubs.

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your garden, and the right products can make all the difference. Join Mike Westphal, the Garden Guru, at McDonald Garden Center’s Independence Blvd. location on Monday, March 10th at 4PM as he shares his top 10 must-have products for spring gardening. With over 20 years of experience, Mike has the knowledge to help you choose the best tools and products for your garden’s success.

This seminar will cover essential gardening tools, plants that will thrive in your spring garden, and must-have products to ensure your plants grow healthy and vibrant. Mike will provide expert advice to help you select the right products to make your spring garden flourish.

While citrus trees can’t be grown outdoors year-round in Hampton Roads all year-round, they can thrive beautifully in pots! Join us on Saturday, March 9th at 4PM at our Independence Blvd. location as tour experts in houseplants share tips and tricks for growing healthy citrus in containers. 

In this seminar, we will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for citrus plants in pots, from selecting the right varieties to providing the perfect indoor environment for them to flourish. Learn about proper watering, feeding, and pruning techniques, as well as how to troubleshoot common citrus problems. Get ready to enjoy fresh, homegrown fruit and vibrant greenery, all from the comfort of your own space!

Get ready to give your garden a head start this spring! The Garden Pharmacy Open Clinic is the perfect opportunity to ensure your soil is in tip-top shape before planting season. Join us March 15th and 16th during our Spring Showcase and take advantage of our free pH testing service. A proper pH level is essential for healthy plant growth, and our expert plant doctor will be on hand to help you understand your soil's needs. Plus, we're offering plant identification, help with insect and fungus issues, and a Plantscription for a healthy garden if need be.

The Garden Pharmacy Open Clinic is available at both of our year-round locations, with our Green team experts on hand so you can get the help you need. Take advantage of this chance to give your garden the best possible start this spring season!

Want to make your home’s exterior stand out? Join Lisa Hulme, one of our expert landscape designers, for an inspiring seminar that will show you how to enhance your curb appeal. This Friday, March 15, at 9:30 AM Lisa will guide you through practical design tips, plant recommendations, and simple yet effective strategies to transform your front yard into a welcoming and attractive space. Whether you're looking to refresh your current landscape or take on a full redesign, this seminar will provide the insights you need to create a lasting impression.

In this exclusive in-store seminar, the Garden Guru will unveil the art of nurturing your garden from the ground up. Discover the secrets of veggie and flower seed selection, soil preparation, and creating the perfect conditions for your plants to thrive. This seminar is perfect for anyone who wants to learn the art of seed starting. Come and join us Saturday, March 15th at 2pm exclusively at our Independence Blvd. location as we explore the wonderful world of gardening and discover the magic of starting from seed!

In-Store Seminar is FREE. Walk-ins welcome, no registration required. Seating is limited. Keep growing with the Guru all year long, as this is just one of many seminars on his 2025 calendar. Stay tuned for what's next with the Garden Guru through our website, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and more.

Join Mike Westphal and Daniel Van Dyke, hosts of McDonald Garden Center’s own Bros of Gardening podcast, for a live, interactive Q&A on Friday, March 15th at 4PM at our Independence Blvd. location!

Mike and Daniel bring years of hands-on experience from McDonald Garden Center to share expert advice on spring gardening, landscaping, and plant care. In this seminar, they’ll answer your top gardening questions, focusing on everything from spring planting and seasonal landscaping tips to common spring gardening challenges. The Bros will provide practical insights and helpful advice to help you kick off the season with a thriving garden.

All questions answered during the event will be posted later on The Bros of Gardening podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ready to bring a touch of magic and movement to your landscape? Join Alex Rogic from our Green Team on Saturday, March 16th at 11AM at our Independence Blvd. location for Garden Trains 101: Designing a Railway in Your Landscape with Alex.

Alex will cover the fundamentals of designing and incorporating a model train setup into your outdoor space. Learn about layout ideas, materials, and tips for creating a miniature railroad that enhances your landscape and Alex will also provide expert advice on planning, building, and maintaining your garden train display.

Transform your landscape into a captivating scene with trains, tunnels, and beautiful scenery in this special seminar!

Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at The Weenie Spring Sprint on Saturday, March 22nd at 2pm at our Independence Blvd. location! Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or entering your own dachshund in the race, it's sure to be a fun-filled winter day. These speedy little pups will race for a chance to win exciting prizes from McDonald Garden Center!

HOW TO ENTER YOUR DACHSHUND
While the event is free to attend, if you’d like your dachshund to race, here’s how to get them in the running:

• Send a message to Cheryl Padden on Facebook or email cherylpadden824@gmail.com.
• Include a picture of your pup, their name, and your entry for the Weenie Winter Wonderland Races on March 22nd.
• Once entered, please arrive at our Independence Blvd. location by 1:30 PM for race check-in.

This tail-wagging event is free to attend, but we encourage donations! All funds raised will go directly to Paws Wide Open Rescue. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming, winter-themed race—join us for the fun and support a great cause!