Union County’s 33rd Spring Garden Fair and Sale
Thousands of plants and expert advice bloom at annual community fair
By Laurie Tham, Master Gardener
The Union County Master Gardeners hosted their 33rd annual Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Commissioner; Madeline Flahive DiNardo, County Agent and MG Coordinator; along with Joanne Krueger, Master Gardener; and Pat Paul, President of Union County Master Gardeners, welcomed fair visitors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Nearly 90 Union County Master Gardeners volunteered on the day, with many more contributing throughout the year to ensure the fair’s success.
Joanne Krueger, the event’s perennial Master of Ceremonies, highlighted the fair’s purpose: “The biggest driver for the fair every year is to fulfill our core mission of sharing what we learned in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener’s program with the public.” And fulfill that mission they did!
Over 1,000 visitors arrived with wagons and wish lists on a beautiful day. They found a wide selection of well-priced, carefully tended flowers, plants, and vegetables – over 5,000 in total. Of the 5,000 plants sold, 1,600 were perennials, 950 were vegetables and flowers, and 123 were houseplants. Many of these were nurtured by Master Gardeners in the early spring months. The offerings included annuals, tomatoes, herbs, and various vegetable plants. Oak Leaf Garden Center in Westfield generously donated additional plants.
Beyond plant sales, the fair featured educational tables staffed by experts, including the Garden Helpline, the Department of Union County Mosquito Control, and the 4-H Tree Stewards.
If you are interested in next year’s Spring Garden Fair, mark your calendars for May 11th, 2025. Our fair is held every year the Sunday after Mother’s Day rain or shine.