The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing everyone to reevaluate how they operate, including the Natick Garden Club. 

Its an annual plant sale has had to move online, just like most everything else these days. 

According to Garden Club President Laurie Adelstein, “This year, due to Covid-19, a committed group of volunteers within the Club organized our catalog on the website, and subsequent logistics surrounding the sale.”

While this year‘s event won’t look like the previous ones, it will still raise money for the clubs projects.

“Historically the Club organizes a very popular auction, whereby there are door prizes from local merchants, as well as approximately 1,000 plants from member gardens and other club supporters, which are both auctioned off and sold outright at the sidewalk sale. The auction/sidewalk sale is our primary fundraiser, but we are doing well with our online sale thus far,” she said. 

Funds raised support a few areas in the community, she said. 

“Proceeds fund our work in the community, which includes ample beautification efforts, scholarships, as well as our speaker series,” said Adelstein.

For the sale, the Club is offering a variety of plants that have been proven to grow successfully in our sometimes challenging weather conditions. Most of the plants are perennials from members’ gardens, and are labeled for bloom time and season, height, spacing needed, and sun and moisture requirements. New plants will come online all summer.

Adelstein said much thought was put into the choice of plants offered based on our New England climate.

“Plants are categorized by shade/part shade/sun, and details given as to spread, bloom type, and whether they are native to Massachusetts. The plants are selected and potted by the membership, and the primary donations are perennial flowers and shrubs. Native plants denote an effort to promote natural species originally found in this area, which are of great benefit ecologically helping with insect populations, birds, and drought tolerance,” she said.

The club, which pose surround 80 members all of varying gardening skills, has been around since 1998. While it is not responsible for maintaining traffic islands around town, it is responsible for the seasonal planters that you see throughout downtown and at the Morse Library.  

Adelstein said, “The Natick Garden Club membership is a welcoming group of people! You can follow us on Facebook, check out our newly established YouTube channel, and visit the website natickgardenclub.org frequently for club news, resources, and the continually updated            Plant Sale Catalog!”

To purchase plants from their sale, visit www.natickgardenclub.org and click ‘catalog,’ and follow the instructions there to place an order. The catalog will be updated weekly, with new plants added and those that are sold removed. Pick up will be arranged, with cash or check only accepted for payment in 2020.