Looking for a gift for the garden enthusiast in your life? Or maybe a little something for yourself? Then mark your calendar for this year’s May Market coming on Saturday, May 17. Choose your gifts from a huge selection of flowers, shrubs, herbs, garden sculptures, terrariums, birdbaths, and nature photography, as well as local honey, jams, jellies and fragrant soaps. Are you more of an indoor cat? Look for handwoven baskets, blankets, jewelry and refinished furniture.
May Market has always been a fan favorite event, attracting visitors from near and far. “I was a first-time visitor to the May Market in 2024 with my daughter,” writes Kara, an Ellington resident. “What a wonderful morning! The plants were beautiful, healthy and reasonably priced. The people were friendly and helpful. If you’re not there for your spring gardening, you should be. We will be back annually!”
The Suffield Garden Club is thrilled to bring back two May Market favorites: The Rose Booth and the Geranium Stand, each featuring healthy plants in many gorgeous colors. (Special thanks to the Suffield High Agriscience team for growing geraniums for us!)
Another returning favorite will be the Spear Head Spade Garden Shovels, which members love for dividing perennials and digging in our tough New England soil (and pictured in the Suffield Gothic photo.) The spades are available in three sizes and many great colors. Look for Suffield Gothic couple Sally and Larry Peters who will also be selling Spear Head Hoes, a fantastic garden tool originally developed in Japan 40 years ago, now available at May Market.
“Suffield Gothic”, featuring Sally and Larry Peters and the renowned Spear Head Spade. Suffield’s own Gothic Cottage was built in 1846 by David Lyman Sikes, and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Located on Mapleton Avenue, the property remains in the Sikes family.
Bring your favorite reusable shopping bags and, if you really plan to shop, bring a cart or wagon to trundle your treasures back to your car. Don’t forget to bring cash or your checkbook since not all vendors take credit cards.
Admission is free. The May Market is Saturday, May 17, rain or shine and runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Phelps-Hathaway House Barn, 55 S. Main Street.
The Suffield Garden Club, organized in 1934, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the beautification of Suffield. Proceeds from this event support civic beautification, high school scholarships, town conservation, horticulture education, and garden therapy programs.