Winter is over and spring is (almost) here — don’t be caught without your plants!

Join us at the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District Spring Plant Sale, Backyard Conservation Sale & Garden Fair at Union Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to satisfy spring planting desires, promote conservation at home, and support our education programs. The sale offers a fabulous selection of bareroot varieties at terrific prices: fruit trees, berries, asparagus, and rhubarb for the edibles garden; native conifers; native deciduous trees, shrubs, and vines — including hops — for conservation, wildlife, and landscape plantings; and, in 1-gallon pots, organically grown, native perennials and herbs from Rebel Hill Farm in Clifton.

With a few exceptions, all plants are hardy to at least Zone 4 and have been chosen for productivity, pest and disease resistance, wildlife value (including pollinators and other beneficial insects), a variety of soil and light conditions, and to provide beauty and color from spring through fall. This year we have added some new items. We are offering bird, bat and bee houses constructed with repurposed materials, as well as handmade goat’s milk soap from Final-Lee Acres in Union and one-of-a-kind birdfeeders crafted from repurposed coffee pots, tea kettles, beer cans and cookie or flour tins from

And that’s not all – to help build garden soil and conserve water, EarthSaver compost bins, SureClose compost pails, Wingdigger compost turners, and Systern rain barrels are available at deep discount prices. These items will be on display at the sale and may be pre-ordered through Wed., May 4 for pick-up at the District office in Rockport the week of June 6.

The selection includes more than 100 varieties – many of which are new. Among the edibles, new varieties include Ginger Gold apple; Black Ice plum; Summercrisp pear; Nova raspberries;and hardy Darrow blackberries. Other new offerings include sassafras; the return of beach plum, a terrific shrub for those drier sandy spots; and Regent Saskatoon serviceberry, a low-growing shrub serviceberry known for delicious dark blue fruits as well as high ornamental value. Add to this new perennials from Rebel Hill — like golden alexander and cardinal flower — to create a garden that will fill the freezer, provide habitat for birds and pollinators, eliminate erosion and runoff, and add color and texture throughout the year. Friendly volunteers will be on hand to help with plant selection, take-home guides on caring for your plants, and compost bin and rain barrel orders.

For more information, visit www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale/, www.knox-lincoln.org/backyard-sale/(online ordering available), email info@knox-lincoln.org, call 596-2040, or drop by our office at 893 West Street (Rt 90) in Rockport. Proceeds of the sale benefit the conservation district’s education and outreach programs. Thanks for your support!