Looking to expand your garden’s diversity? Want to rub elbows with, and maybe even learn something from, other avid gardeners? Just want to make a contribution to a community oasis? The Ned Wolf Park Plant Sale is for you. 

This year’s edition is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the pocket park located at the corner of McCallum and Ellet streets in Mt. Airy. Heavy rain date: Sunday, May 15.

If you haven’t attended before, you may be surprised at the buying frenzy of our neighbors each year. They have purchased thousands of perennials, annuals, tree seedlings, shrubs and all manner of donated garden paraphernalia in support of the group that maintains this public garden. They know that it’s worth waiting patiently for the 10 a.m. sharp opening time for best choice of plant divisions and seedlings donated by active local gardeners as well as many plants raised by local growers. Great bargains make this an affordable way to expand your plant collection while contributing to the community no matter when you arrive.

For those who wonder why the team that gathers plants for this sale doesn’t have even more plants available to satisfy the plant-hungry crowd, it’s all about the help! As Plant Sale Coordinator, I reach out for help from those who love this sale for its green-thumb karma and free garden advice shared enthusiastically. Folks walk away with far more than boxes loaded with great plants. And the more our community can help, the more fun and funds we’ll have supporting Ned Wolf Park, a jewel in the neighborhood.

Help can come in many ways and is crucial for our success:

• We need folks to donate plastic nursery pots, tools, books or other garden items.
• We need folks to gather and store trays and boxes until Sale Day so shoppers can easily take home their plants.
• We need gardeners to pot up divisions and seedlings from their own gardens and transport them to the park.
• We need volunteers who can help dig up plant divisions from Ned Wolf Park and some local gardens.
• We need volunteers early on the day of our sale to organize, label and price the plants before 10 a.m.
• We need volunteers with plant know-how to help with botanical advice and to steer “newbies” to suitable plants.

If you can lend a hand or have questions, contact me at 215-248-5533 or ericsternfels@icloud.com. We hope you’ll expand the ranks of the Friends of Ned Wolf Park!