MARCELLUS — Baltimore Woods Nature Center is announcing the start of its annual spring Native Plant Sale. Through May 3,local gardeners can browse an online catalog of native plants, tomatoes, bluebird houses and vermicompost, order through the website, and pick up their order curbside at Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus on May 21 or 22 at select times.
A generous selection of native trees, shrubs, perennials and spring ephemerals supplied by Ballantyne Gardens in Liverpool will be available for pre-order as well as several varieties of organic and heirloom tomatoes grown by master gardener Pat Jokajtys. Hand-crafted bird houses made from reclaimed wood by volunteers as well as vermicompost by Devine Gardens will also be offered for sale.
Although the pandemic has redesigned this traditional in-person event, the mission behind this popular annual fundraiser remains the same: to provide the CNY community with beautiful native plants and expert gardening advice while helping to provide natural habitat for pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies.
According to native plant expert Jacquie Orzell, long-time member of the Baltimore Woods Nature Center plant sale committee, “Now that spring has arrived and people are able to get outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures and the fresh air, thoughts often turn to sprucing up our flower beds or inviting birds and butterflies to our backyards. When gardens are lush with native plants, it’s a win for the pollinators, too. Birds, bees, and butterflies are just some of the creatures that rely on native plants for food and shelter. We can all feel good about taking care of ourselves and our environment right now.”
Visit baltimorewoods.org to browse the plant selections and pre-order between now and May 3. Orders will be confirmed and payment collected via phone after May 4, and plant pickup will take place at Baltimore Woods Nature Center at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22. Orders will be processed in the sequence they are received; quantities are limited. For questions, call 315-673-1350 or email [email protected].
The annual plant sale is an important fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, helping to raise essential funds to maintain the nature preserve and support Baltimore Woods Nature Center in its mission of environmental education.
Submitted photos
Baltimore Woods is hosting its annual spring Native Plant Sale.
