Union County, NJ – The 30th annual Master Gardeners of Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale will be held this Sunday, May 19, from noon to 4:00 p.m., in the Union County Demonstration Garden at the Trailside Nature and Science Center. Trailside is located in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

The yearly event is a popular community tradition featuring native plants for sale along with hundreds of other flowering plants and shrubs, vegetable seedlings, garden crafts, baked goods, children’s activities, educational displays and a chance to explore the many unique and unusual beds of the sprawling Demonstration Garden.

“Everyone who loves to garden can help ensure that our native New Jersey plant species survive and thrive for the next generation to enjoy,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Garden Fair is a wonderful opportunity to collect native species and other plants for your yard and garden, while contributing to a good cause.”

All proceeds from sales at the Garden Fair go to support community service projects of Master Gardener volunteers, including donations of fresh produce to local food pantries, educational events for youth and adults, programs for people with special needs, neighborhood projects, and more.

Admission is free and parking is free. Please note that credit cards are not accepted, and pets are not permitted.

Gardeners who are interested in cultivating native plants can also attend the free “Good Plants and Bad Plants” seminar at the Trailside Nature & Science Center on May 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required by emailing watershed7@ucnj.org.

Another free native plant event will take place in the Demonstration Garden on Thursday evening, June 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees can bring an invasive plant from their property and trade it for a native plant free of charge, purchase additional native plants on site, and tour the garden. Pre-registration is required by emailing watershed7@ucnj.org.

A free, illustrated guide on ornamental natives titled “Plant This, Not That” is also available for free download through the Trailside Nature and Science Center.

For quick links to all Union County programs related to gardening, sustainability and nature conservation visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.