UNION – The Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District Spring Plant Sale and Garden Fair at Union Fairgrounds is happening this weekend, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The sale is the District's biggest fundraiser of the year and offers more than 180 varieties – over 2400 plants.

The sale includes 29 varieties of fruit trees, 19 berry varieties, more than 20 varieties of native flowering trees, and 40+ varieties of native shrubs, many organically grown by Crystal Lake Nursery in Washington. That doesn't include conifers, miscellaneous edibles – such as rhubarb and asparagus – and 57 varieties of organically grown, native perennials and herbs from Rebel Hill Farm in Liberty.

Plants have been chosen for their value as windbreaks, lakeshore buffers, bank stabilization, erosion control, and wildlife habitat – including songbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Individual varieties were selected for productivity, pest and disease resistance, a variety of soil and light conditions – and to provide beauty and color in the home landscape from spring through fall. As always, the sale provides new selections as well as old favorites.

New fruit trees include Yarlington Mill, an heirloom cider apple; Dolgo crabapple for bright red jelly; Garnet Beauty, an early peach; and Sweet Cherry Pie, a tart cherry sweet enough to eat right off the tree. JoanJ is a new thornless raspberry; also in the offering are a Red, White and Blue grape collection (one of each). New native trees include American hornbeam, mountain maple, and sweet birch; and new shrubs are too numerous to mention, according to a news release.

In the non-plant category, Knox-Lincoln SWCD will have on display and available for pre-order are Backyard Conservation Sale items – Systern rain barrels, Earth Saver and Trap-Wire compost bins (in 2 sizes), kitchen compost pairs, compost turners and thermometers.

Returning vendors include Final-Lee Acres and Wandering Goat in Union will be on hand with bird, bat and native bee nesting boxes and handmade goat's milk soaps; Q.D. Loon in Pittston will join in on Saturday with one-of-a-kind birdfeeders crafted from repurposed coffee pots, tea kettles, beer cans, etc; and Hidden Valley Nature Center will bring an assortment of rustic picnic tables and garden benches, built from white pine sustainably harvested in Jefferson.

New this year, Guini Ridge Greenhouses is providing annual flower and vegetable seedlings, bagged soil amendments – and discount coupons for warm weather seedlings to pick up at the store in Rockport.

Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers will bring an observation hive; Cheryl Denz of Terra Optima Farm will staff the fruit tree section with tips on selecting, planting, and pruning; and, new this year, Wild Seed Project will offer copies of their informative annual magazine and demonstrate how to make "native seed bombs."

A number of local organizations are setting up informational displays in the "restaurant building," which is also where you will find all manner of plant care handouts.

All items are available for Cash-Check-Credit and Carry on Saturday and Sunday (perennials and vendors on Saturday only).

For more information and a copy of the 2018 catalog, which includes plants and backyard items, visit www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale/, email info@knox-lincoln.org, or call 596-2040.

Proceeds of the sale benefit the conservation district's education and outreach programs.