Don’t miss the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District Spring Plant Sale & Garden Fair at Union Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The sale is the district’s biggest fundraiser of the year and offers more than 150 varieties at terrific prices. This outstanding collection includes 39 varieties of fruit trees and berries, 16 varieties of native flowering trees and 40+ varieties of native shrubs, many responsibly grown by Crystal Lake Farm & Nursery in Washington. And that doesn’t include conifers, miscellaneous edibles - such as rhubarb and asparagus - and a selection of organically grown, native perennials and herbs from Rebel Hill Farm in Liberty.

Plants have been chosen for their value as windbreaks, lake shore buffers, bank stabilization, erosion control, and wildlife habitat – including songbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Individual varieties were selected for productivity, pest and disease resistance, a variety of soil and light conditions – and to provide beauty and color in the home landscape from spring through fall. As always, there are new selections as well as old favorites in every category.

In the non-plant category, Knox-Lincoln SWCD will have on display and available for pre-order our Backyard Conservation Sale items – Systern rain barrels, Earth Saver and Trap-Wire compost bins, kitchen compost pails, compost turners and thermometers. On Saturday only, the following local vendors will be on hand: Final-Lee Acres and Wandering Goat of Union with bird, bat and native bee nesting boxes and handmade garden soaps; Q.D. Loon of Pittston with one-of-a-kind bird feeders crafted from re-purposed coffee pots, tea kettles, beer cans, etc; Hidden Valley Nature Center of Jefferson with an assortment of rustic picnic tables and garden benches, built from sustainably harvested white pine; and Guini Ridge Greenhouses of Rockport with annual flower and vegetable seedlings.

In addition, Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers will bring an observation hive; Cheryl Denz of Terra Optima Farm will staff the fruit tree section with tips on selecting, planting, and pruning; and Wild Seed Project will offer copies of their informative annual magazine. And, there will be plenty of information available on how to care of newly purchased plants.

This year there will be plenty of stock available for cash-check-credit and  carry on Saturday and Sunday (perennials and vendors on Saturday only).

For more information, and a copy of the 2019 catalog, which includes plants and backyard items, visit www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale or call 207-596-2040. Proceeds of the sale benefit the conservation district’s education and outreach programs.