Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey
Red at Rutgers Gardens Sale
marigolds and red salvia at Rutgers Gardens Plant SaleI finally made it to the famous (at least in Central New Jersey) Rutgers Gardens Annual Plant Sale. I wasn’t disappointed with the plants but with the crowds – there were just too many people there! We had to park all the way near the highway and walk all the way down to the pavilion by the Raritan River. Why were so many people available on a Friday? I can understand seniors or moms with kids, but young couples hand-in-hand? Neither had a full-time job they needed to be at – or maybe they both thought it was worth a day off or a leisurely lunch hour (more like leisurely three hours, to get the most out of the sale).
Do you have popular plant sales where you live?
And these are just photos of the annuals!
For more photos with a little or a LOT of red, visit:
annie says
I tried to picture these floral images without red and it was a disappointing exercise. Red in a garden is NECESSARY!!!
I found the parking to be a hassle; first, wait in line with your car. Then find a parking space in a crowded field. Then figure out how to get out of that field and back to the area with the plants. By the time I got to the actual sale, I wasn't terribly relaxed. I had brought my own bag, and I only bought 3 small plants, so carrying them back wasn't a big deal.
We had a gardens sale yesterday. There were also far too many people. Unfortunately this year it was very disappointing; fewer sellers and too many other stuff which were not related to gardening.
I love visiting what we call plantations.
I never can concentrate with people swirling all around me though. Therefor I guess I wouldn't made any great captures even with all these wonderful flowers all over the place. I should like to see a close up of your catch, maybe next week?
What beautiful flowers. We don't have big plant sales like that here, at least not that I've ever heard of. Everyone just goes to a nursery to buy plants.
The remembrance of flower sales like this is what keeps me going all winter! I'm sure this was an enjoyable three [or more] hours and well worth the trip.
p.s. I'll be back to see where that lovely watercolor is headed.
Oh, yeah, I could photograph the petunias or the begonias. But I didn't buy anything red. Planning mostly purples with some yellows, pinks and oranges for my flower garden.
The beauty of the myriad flowers, in color or texture can bring many to a flower market such as this. So many flats of beautiful flora...what to buy, what looks best in the yard, or any (perhaps many) questions about so many choices. A fragrant and beautiful market!
Well, Leora, you hit the jackpot here it seems! There is hardly anything worth having that is super easy to obtain. It wasn't hot though, was it?
Happy RT! :) My dearest three are holding two red Mother's day roses, the third must be in SIL's hand.
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My mother always used to have a stunning display of red salvia against a fence, and it would be in full bloom each Christmas. They always look gorgeous.
I'd so not wanna go home!!! What a dream shopping trip.
I'd like to have you visit with me today if you can. It's a special day for me and my husband...today we celebrate 42 years of marriage. My RUBY TUESDAY is HERE
It looks like a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours, camera at hand!
The weather looks nice where you are. It's been VERY very cold here ( and rainy), it feels like Winter!
I was there the same day and wondered the same thing about the crowds. Mostly I wondered what it must be like over the weekend! But I love the sale. I mostly buy herbs, and the selection is a world away from any of the nurseries around here. They have 7-8 varieties of herbs that are hard to find at all anywhere else. And the volunteers are really knowledgeable. Although the amount of choice was a little overwhelming. I bought 2 tomato plants, but I just grabbed something randomly - the number of different types was mind-boggling.
Hi, Kira! So nice to have comment on my blog. Maybe next year we can go together. I just find going anywhere on a Friday overwhelming; I am always thinking about what else I need to do.
annie says
I tried to picture these floral images without red and it was a disappointing exercise. Red in a garden is NECESSARY!!!
EG Wow says
I guess it was just too hard to resist a good plant sale. :) It sounds like you had a long way to lug those plants back to your car though!
Leora says
I found the parking to be a hassle; first, wait in line with your car. Then find a parking space in a crowded field. Then figure out how to get out of that field and back to the area with the plants. By the time I got to the actual sale, I wasn't terribly relaxed. I had brought my own bag, and I only bought 3 small plants, so carrying them back wasn't a big deal.
Ilana-Davita says
We had a gardens sale yesterday. There were also far too many people. Unfortunately this year it was very disappointing; fewer sellers and too many other stuff which were not related to gardening.
Ilana-Davita says
And of course not nearly as pretty as what your photos feature.
felisol says
I love visiting what we call plantations.
I never can concentrate with people swirling all around me though. Therefor I guess I wouldn't made any great captures even with all these wonderful flowers all over the place. I should like to see a close up of your catch, maybe next week?
Robin from Israel says
What beautiful flowers. We don't have big plant sales like that here, at least not that I've ever heard of. Everyone just goes to a nursery to buy plants.
Jew Wishes says
What marvelous captures of color and contrasts. I love flower and plant sales...there are many in my area.
Nonizamboni says
The remembrance of flower sales like this is what keeps me going all winter! I'm sure this was an enjoyable three [or more] hours and well worth the trip.
p.s. I'll be back to see where that lovely watercolor is headed.
Rajesh says
Beautiful shots of such lovely flowers.
Risa says
Maybe the young couples are students? It sounds like a colorful happening. Lovely photos!
Leora says
Yes, given this is next to Rutgers, quite possible!
Marcia says
lovely I am always tempted to spend too much on these sales
Patti V. says
I've never been to a big plant sale. Some non-profits like volunteer fire companies and Scouts hold flower sales for Easter and Mother's Day.
Happy RT, Leora! Hope to see your purchases next time.
Leora says
Oh, yeah, I could photograph the petunias or the begonias. But I didn't buy anything red. Planning mostly purples with some yellows, pinks and oranges for my flower garden.
Ralph says
The beauty of the myriad flowers, in color or texture can bring many to a flower market such as this. So many flats of beautiful flora...what to buy, what looks best in the yard, or any (perhaps many) questions about so many choices. A fragrant and beautiful market!
Dianne says
thanks for the photos and a glimpse into the event, I would never have the tolerance for the crowds
I just don't do crowds very well any more :)
Manang Kim says
That is the place I wanted to go ^_^. Happy RT!
My Cardinal
Patti V. says
HI Leora,
Thanks for reminding me of the proper name of my pink perennials - dianthus.
I couldn't remember
Marites says
I would love to be at that place...flowers everywhere! love the colors! must be fragrant too. have a good week!
Jim says
Well, Leora, you hit the jackpot here it seems! There is hardly anything worth having that is super easy to obtain. It wasn't hot though, was it?
Happy RT! :) My dearest three are holding two red Mother's day roses, the third must be in SIL's hand.
..
Maria says
Lovley captures:)
Happy RT!
Susan L says
My mother always used to have a stunning display of red salvia against a fence, and it would be in full bloom each Christmas. They always look gorgeous.
My Ruby Redness
Gemma@Greyscale says
Incredible array of flowers on display! And the streaming sunlight makes the whole scene bright and berautiful!
Hootin' Anni says
I'd so not wanna go home!!! What a dream shopping trip.
I'd like to have you visit with me today if you can. It's a special day for me and my husband...today we celebrate 42 years of marriage. My RUBY TUESDAY is HERE
Magical Mystical Teacher says
salvia
for scarlet gardens,
hummingbirds
Frank Charley’s grave
Auntie E says
Red is always need in the garden. Love all the flowers.. time to plant is coming up.
My Ruby Tuesday Link for You
maryt/theteach says
Leora, I should try to get to that plant sale. It's not that far from me here in Queens! Your photos are excellent! :)
Leora says
Next year ... we could have a blogger meet up!
ellen b. says
Great shots of the sale. I'm glad you got away with something for your effort :0)
Happy planting...
Regina says
Beautiful and delightful!
mizhelle says
these are beautiful :) such a feats in the eye :)
u may view mine here
Jientje says
It looks like a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours, camera at hand!
The weather looks nice where you are. It's been VERY very cold here ( and rainy), it feels like Winter!
ramblingwoods says
We can have a frost through May..I have to wait a bit..glad you could get out and enjoy even with all the people...
Kira says
I was there the same day and wondered the same thing about the crowds. Mostly I wondered what it must be like over the weekend! But I love the sale. I mostly buy herbs, and the selection is a world away from any of the nurseries around here. They have 7-8 varieties of herbs that are hard to find at all anywhere else. And the volunteers are really knowledgeable. Although the amount of choice was a little overwhelming. I bought 2 tomato plants, but I just grabbed something randomly - the number of different types was mind-boggling.
Kira
Leora says
Hi, Kira! So nice to have comment on my blog. Maybe next year we can go together. I just find going anywhere on a Friday overwhelming; I am always thinking about what else I need to do.
Please leave a comment! I love to hear from you.