May Market 2023
Saturday, May 13
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday, May 13
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Painting by Garden Club Member, Doreen Scharfenstein
Jeopardy question … “This is synonymous with Mother's Day and Spring”
Answer … “What is Essex Garden Club's May Market?”
This year's May Market will be held on Saturday, May 13, in the Essex Town Park from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm rain or shine! Folks frequently begin lining up as early as 6:30 am (we even have some hardcore fans who come down from Maine) so that they can be first in line to take their pick from the 2,000 members’ plants which will be for sale. And no wonder … members’ plants have been dug from the gardens of Club members and their neighbors, so they are “proven winners” in our climate.
There will be 500 herbs plants for sale … not just parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, but also basil, dill, lavender, chives, oregano, mint and strawberries … available as individual plants or planted in decorative containers ready for gift-giving. There will also be 400 tomato plants and an awesome selection of annuals (packs and hanging baskets) for sale. Everything you need to get a head start in your garden this year.
Because it's Mother's Day weekend, a bouquet of Spring flowers from the Cut Flower booth or something handcrafted from Garden Gifts, such as a hypertufa container planted with succulents or one of the pressed flower items, would make a lovely present. And if the Mother in your life likes to cook, then head over to pick up a bottle or two of the Club's legendary Garlic Salt. This has been sold out since last Fall and a new supply will be available at May Market – but after that, it can only be bought at Gracie's Corner for as long as the supply lasts. This is a reminder to those of you who were disappointed when you tried to find our Garlic Salt for Christmas gifts last year.
If you're looking for variety, don't miss the popular Jewelry tent which is expanding this year to include scarves, handbags and belts; Treasures where you can find bargains galore; and the Boutique which will be offering some more up-market items to purchase.
And because the Garden Club is also an educational organization, don't forget to stop by the Conservation Tent to get information on how to identify invasive plants; suggestions for the best shrubs and plants for bees throughout the season; information on where to buy native plants, and more.
May Market is an all hands on deck fundraiser for the Essex Garden Club, and provides the funds that are used for Scholarships ($5,000 scholarships this year) and Town Beautification.
May Market 2022
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Divide and Pot
Creating Herb Containers
Here Come the Members' Plants
The Big Day Itself
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Preparing Succulent Planters for Garden Gifts
The Garden Club Treasures Sorting Through "Treasures"
Set Up
Barn Clean Up after May Market
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Many thanks to all who came and supported May Market,
it wouldn't be the success that it is without YOU!
The Essex Garden Club's May Market has been a major Springtime event in Essex for 70 years. This most important fundraising event for the club began as a small plant sale across from the Griswold Inn and has grown into a garden extravaganza now held in the Town Park. It features annuals, members' perennial plants, herbs, shrubs and fresh-cut flowers, as well as garlic salt, gently-used home and garden treasures, garden gifts, and jewelry.
The proceeds from May Market are used to support the club's educational and civic improvement projects, new and ongoing. These funds allow the club to beautify our parks and traffic islands in the villages of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton, the Town Hall and the elementatry school. May Market also supports education programs in the elementary school, horticultural programs in the middle and high schools, camperships for young students and scholarships for high school graduates and college students pursing studies in environmental sciences.
The proceeds from May Market are used to support the club's educational and civic improvement projects, new and ongoing. These funds allow the club to beautify our parks and traffic islands in the villages of Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton, the Town Hall and the elementatry school. May Market also supports education programs in the elementary school, horticultural programs in the middle and high schools, camperships for young students and scholarships for high school graduates and college students pursing studies in environmental sciences.