For gardeners in the Central Pennsylvania area this weekend is the date for the annual Herb & Garden Faire at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. This is an event that I look forward to every year because it signals that our frost free date is near and that planting can begin in earnest very soon!
This weekend’s plant sale is a perfect opportunity to get your hands on a great variety of heirloom vegetables, medicinal herbs, fruit trees, antique roses, rare plants, and other perennial and annual selections for your garden. The herb fair takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 6th & 7th from 9am to 5pm on both days.
Great Sources for Organic or Heirloom Vegetable Transplants
I’m so far behind that the herb faire is especially welcomed this year and I’ll probably be purchasing more transplants that usual to help get things caught up in my own garden. It will be interesting to see what new varieties Tim and Amy of Happy Cat Organics are growing. Last year they introduced me to the Rat Turd peppers that have become one of my favorites.
Then there are the students from the Manheim Central High School Agricultural Ed Program who will once again offer a selection of healthy heirloom tomato transplants for you to take home. This year’s varieties will include; Box Car Willie, Thessaloniki, German Johnson, Black Krim, Japanese Black Trifele, Green Zebra, Cuor di Bue, Pineapple, Golden King of Siberia, Ananas Noir, and more.
Grafted Fruit Trees, Herbs, and Other Rare Plant Suppliers
The Pennsylvania Backyard Fruit Growers will be on hand again to offer grafted antique fruit trees that are ready for planting. Landis Valley’s own Heirloom Seed Project Marketplace will provide their usual wide selection of vegetable, herb, and ornamental plants.
Other sources for vegetable, herb, and ornamental seedlings include: Gettysburg Gardens, Herbal Springs Farmstead, Ken’s Gardens, Lily House, Longview Nursery, Deer Creek Farm, Spring Creek Iris, Sunny Sprouts, Tulip Tree Hill, Cloverleaf Herb Farm, Design by Nature, Meadow View Heirloom Greenhouse, and Butterfly Oasis.
Crafts, Gifts, and Accessories for the Home and Garden
If you’re all set for plants there are many garden crafts and gifts ranging from butterfly puddlers, fountains, and hypertufa planters, to handmade jewelry, pottery, and glass work. Food and refreshments will be provided by the Landis Valley Mennonite Church, Rachel’s Café & Creperie, Saladworks, and the Weathervane Museum Store.
So whether you’re looking for unique plants for the garden or a great Mother’s Day gift, this weekend’s Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum’s Herb & Garden Faire will make for a great outing, and at this point even the weather forecast is looking bright and sunny!