Crabtree Farms will host its 16th annual Fall Plant Sale and Festival on Saturday, September 22.
The event takes place 9 a.m.-4 p.m., kicking off the fall planting season with an opportunity to shop for sustainably grown fruit, vegetable and herb plants.
Fall is the perfect time to plant perennial herbs and fruits. Crabtree offers a wide variety of blueberries, strawberries, rosemary, parsley, figs and sage, to name just a few.
Some annual fall favorites found at the sale include a variety of lettuces, kales, greens, onions, leeks and cauliflower, among many other fall vegetables.
Chattanooga’s mild fall and winter months mean a long and productive growing season for gardeners. Cooler weather is less stressful on perennials and allows their roots to become firmly established. This translates into healthier plants that are able to provide fresh, flavorful fruits and shoots in the warmer seasons.
Additionally, fall, winter and spring are an excellent time to grow your own leafy greens and root vegetables.
The festival will include children’s activities, face painting, baby farm animals for petting from Poppy Creek Farm and wildlife program animals from Reflection Riding.
Music will be on the agenda 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with Sharla June, Ain’t Misbehaving, and the Youth Musicians from Fiddlers Anonymous performing. Demonstrations from local artisans will also be part of the festivities.
“This year, many of our amazing local vendors are leading the educational workshops that take place during the festival,” says Melissa Astin, Crabtree’s events coordinator.
“These demos will be staged in the middle of the sale, allowing plant browsers to shop for plants while gleaning a wealth of knowledge from local gardening and sustainable living practitioners.”
Demonstration schedule:
- 9:30 a.m. - Brewing Science Simplified: Home Brewing & Water with Mad Priest
- 10:15 a.m. - Barn to Yarn with Poppy Creek Farm
- 11:00 a.m. - What’s Cracking? How to buy your farm fresh eggs with Feathers & Fruit
- 11:45 a.m. - Mycorrhizae and Beneficial Inoculants with Urban Horticulture Supply
- 12:30 p.m. - Gotta herb question? Ask away! with Down to Earth
- 1:15 p.m. - Predator/Prey Presentation with Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
- 2 p.m. - The Art of Bonsai with Master Gardeners of Hamilton County
- 2:45 p.m. - Growing Healthy Kids with Inspire Chiropractic