Events

You’ve helped us grow for 80 years, now it’s our turn to say thank you! As the crisp air of fall rolls in, we’re celebrating you during Customer Appreciation Weekend, happening September 19th - 21st, 2025, at both of our year-round locations.

For eight decades, you’ve made us your neighborhood garden center, and we’re showing our gratitude with exclusive deals, exciting giveaways, and seasonal fun created with our loyal customers in mind.

Don’t miss our Grillin’ in the Garden event on Saturday, September 20, from 11am-2pm at our year-round locations, where lunch is on us! Enjoy a FREE hotdog, chips, and a drink while you shop.

Your support has helped us thrive through every season, and now it’s time to celebrate you!

We're showing our appreciation to all our wonderful customers during Customer Appreciation Weekend with our IN-STORE giveaway at our year-round locations and you could be one of the lucky winners!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: 

1. At our 2 year-round locations, we've gathered a collection of prizes, from garden essentials, to plants, and more.
2. Take a walk around the store to find your fave items.
3. Once you find a prize you love, fill out your name, email, and phone number on one of our “Enter to Win” cards to drop in the box. 

Tune in on Instagram on Monday, 9/22 at 12PM, and join us LIVE for the grand reveal of our winners.

(Winners will also receive a call to the phone number provided in their submission, just in case you miss the Instagram reveal. One entry per item.)

Here is what you have a chance to win: 

• Windmill Palms grown by our founder, Eddie Anderson ($109 value)
• “We the Wild” Houseplant Care ($150 Value)
• Decorative Outdoor Pillows ($100 value)
• Patio Umbrella ($179 value)
• 6-inch Monstera Thai Constellation ($149 Value)
• 12-inch Mum ($50 Value)
• Porch Package ($60 Value)
• Japanese Maple ($100 Value)
• McDonald Landscapes Petite Paradise Design Plan ($1000 value - applies to design services only)

Have fun and good luck!

Go behind the scenes with Green Team expert Carly Melvin during our live houseplant tour on Instagram live! Join us Friday, September 19th at 12pm as Carly walks you through our greenhouse, showcases the latest fall plant arrivals fresh off the truck, and shares her top care tips and styling ideas to help your indoor jungle thrive.

We’re cookin’ up gratitude with a side of chips and a drink! Join us for Grillin’ in the Garden on Saturday, September 20th from 11am-2pm at our year-round locations. We’re firing up the grill and serving FREE hot dogs, chips, and drinks as a thank you to you, our amazing customers who’ve helped us grow for 80 years!

Grab a bite, enjoy the fall atmosphere, and take advantage of fresh plants, new arrivals, and special seasonal savings.

Something new is taking flight at McDonald Garden Center…our very first Bird Fest! For three days, we’re celebrating the joy of backyard birding with special savings on birding products, their favorite seed mixes, bird-friendly plants, and more. Come explore ways to attract local birds to your garden and learn from the experts along the way.

The weekend will also feature a lineup of events designed to inspire your birding journey, exclusively at our Independence Blvd. location:

• Paint Your Own Bird Feeder Workshop for Kids – A creative, hands-on activity just for kids on 9/27 at 11am.
   
• How to Attract Birds to Your Yard Presented by the Garden Guru – Discover insider tips on attracting more birds to your yard with the Guru himself on 9/27 at 2pm.
   
• Discover Our Local Birds of Prey: Nature’s Nanny Wildlife Rescue – Join us on 9/28 at 2pm for a fascinating seminar featuring live owls and hawks, and learn amazing facts about the birds that call our area home.

With fun for the whole family and expert tips for every backyard birder, Bird Fest is the perfect way to celebrate and support our feathered friends!

Discover the secrets to turning your backyard into a birdwatcher’s paradise with Mike Westphal, the Garden Guru! In this seminar, Mike will cover the best seed mixes, feeder types, and placement strategies to bring more birds right to your yard. You’ll come away with practical tips and expert advice to create a lively, colorful space that both you and the birds will love. This FREE seminar takes place on Saturday, September 27th at 2pm, exclusively at our Independence Blvd. location. We’ll see you there!

Get ready for an amazing wildlife encounter at McDonald Garden Center! Nature’s Nanny Wildlife Rescue is bringing live owls and hawks to our Independence Blvd. location on Sunday, September 28th at 2pm. Hear stories about these incredible birds, learn why caring for local wildlife matters, and discover cool facts about the birds that live in Hampton Roads. This up-close encounter is fun for the whole family and a unique way to connect with nature. This seminar is FREE to attend, and donations to Nature’s Nanny Wildlife Rescue are gratefully welcomed and encouraged to help the organization continue caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.

You're officially invited to the Pansy Party, the ultimate fall garden celebration! From October 3th-5th, 2025, come join the fun with special deals on all your favorite fall plants and products, especially pansies. These blooms aren't just garden beauties, they're tough enough to thrive in cooler weather and bring vibrant color to any space. Spruce up your garden beds, create show-stopping containers, or add a seasonal touch to your decor. It’s all happening this weekend at our year-round locations. Don’t miss out on the party, your garden will thank you for it!