If you’ve ever wondered why ginger farmers are good at math, it’s because they know how to find the root.

Bad herb humor aside, the fact is the International Herb Association chose ginger as the herb of the year for 2023. That means Maymont’s annual Herbs Galore, happening April 29th on the Carriage House Lawn, will feature plenty of products with ginger, along with over 4,000 herb plants for sale in the Maymont Garden Hub booth alone. Think basil, fennel, lavender, rosemary, cilantro and lemongrass in 4-inch pots ready for indoor containers or outdoor planting.

The 80 additional vendors, a record high number, fall into four main categories: plant growers, home and garden goods, apparel and accessories, and artisanal foods, the latter offering such products as homemade jams, breads, butters, elixirs, and kombucha A hand-out map will be color-coded so people can find the location of what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

For those who’ve navigated Herbs Galore before, the tried-and-true elements – live music and a food court and picnic area- will again be a part of this year’s fun. A major perk is that guests will have exclusive run of the entire Maymont property until 4 p.m., when the gates will reopen to the general public until 7 p.m.

Pandemic gardeners and those new to gardening can score expert advice along with plants at Herbs Galore. In addition to the professionals from Colesville Nursery and the horticulturists in the Maymont Garden Hub booth, many of the vendors are specialty growers in certain types of plants.

Specialty growers bring a passion for their particular plants, whether succulents, pepper plants or culinary herbs. “Herbs Galore is a great time for a novice gardener to chat with the growers and ask whether the plants they want will work in their garden conditions or in the locations where they have their containers,” says Amber Walczuk, Maymont’s Senior Manager of Special Events.

For those planning to bring family members with zero interest in gardening, this year’s admission to Herbs Galore also includes free mini tours of Maymont Mansion and entry to the Robins Nature Center, as well as the 100-acre grounds. Not only will gardeners be able to tour these buildings, but the gardeners’ family members and friends will have plenty to do while the avid gardener browses.

Once shoppers have scooped up their rare and common herbs, annuals, perennials, trees, vegetables, herbal products and accessories -basically everything they need to stock their gardens, containers and window boxes- they’ll have a place to leave them. Maymont is offering a complimentary plant check service near the Hampton Gate, where shoppers can safely drop their purchases before enjoying a walk through the gardens, the Mansion and the Nature Center. For easy loading, there will also be temporary loading zone parking outside the Hampton entrance.

Walczuk offers pro tips for those wanting to shop Herbs Galore like a Richmond native. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a wagon to load your plants and other items in. And because Herbs Galore carries on rain or shine, prepare for the weather, which could mean rain gear or sunscreen and a hat. “And bring an appetite,” Walczuk suggests.

This year’s Herbs Galore includes a food court with seating and a tent staffed with Maymont educators who will be teaching kids about pollinators, planting seeds and foraging for edible plants. Reading gardeners can take advantage of the gardening book exchange by bringing gardening books to give away or to swap for ones they haven’t read.

Advance tickets are recommended, parking is free, and all event proceeds benefit Maymont. That way, astute gardeners can rationalize any and all purchases as worthy philanthropic donations to a venerable Richmond institution.

Maymont’s Executive Director Parke Richeson sees Herbs Galore as one of Maymont’s signature experiences because gardening enthusiasts can enjoy the gardens while they’re in peak bloom and check out all that Maymont has to offer.

Just don’t forget the wagon and the comfortable shoes.

Herbs Galore takes place on Saturday, April 29th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Maymont Carriage Lawn. Visit maymont.org for more information.