LAKEVILLE — People of all ages came to the Lakeville Garden Club’s 34th annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 11. Old and young, those present saw gardening as a way to connect with people and build relationships. 

The sale, held at the Lakeville Historic Town House, featured everything from annuals and perennials to hanging plants, vegetables, herbs, stained glass items and an assortment of baked goods. 

A large portion of the plants were brought in from garden members and others were purchased from wholesalers, according to Garden Club member and Chair of Plant Sales Nancy LaFave.

Amongst those who came in search of plants to add to her collection was Gwen Lang, who said she has loved gardening for 50 years. The best parts, she noted, are “the friends I meet while I garden” and “the camaraderie that comes from gardening.” 

That sentiment was shared by 9-year-old Claire Doherty, who is a second-year member of the Junior Garden Club. Just as in years past, the Junior Garden Club had a table at the spring sale.

“If you’re gardening with someone, you bond with them a lot,” said Doherty.

The sale also had an educational exhibit about invasive plants and a silent auction where visitors could bid on wall hangings made by former Lakeville Garden Club president and quilter Pat Bessette. 

Funds from the silent auction go toward a scholarship that the Garden Club provides to a Lakeville resident who is a high school senior looking to continue their education in horticulture, environmental science or related fields, members stated. 

Starting in 2024, the club increased the scholarship amount from $500 to $1,000.

With the hope of sparking young people’s interest in plants, the Junior Garden Club completes civic projects around town such as maintaining town garden beds and taking children on field trips to teach them about gardening, said program director Leah Cotter. 

Getting kids involved in gardening is a great way for them to learn about the environment, she noted.