MANALAPAN — The Manalapan Environmental Commission will hold a Native Plant Sale on June 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine) at the Manalapan Recreation Center, 520 Route 522, under the Dreyer Pavilion and at the Eco Patio.
Mayor Susan Cohen said, “We are excited to offer this event in June when many residents are interested in improving their yards. Native plants provide many benefits to homeowners and the environment.”
Native plants are hardy and can withstand weather extremes because they evolved to live in this area. Native plants require less fertilizer, pesticides and watering, and are less susceptible to pests and disease, according to a press release.
Native plants are important to conservation because they promote a healthy ecosystem with biological diversity, according to the press release.
The plants that will be available for purchase have been grown locally by Steven Kristoph of Steven Kristoph Nursery. Credit cards will be accepted.
Kristoph, who is an adjunct instructor at the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, will be at the sale to answer questions and to discuss plant selection.
The sale will feature milkweed plants that are needed by monarch butterflies to help rebuild habitat the butterflies have lost in recent years. Attendees will be able to view a demonstration butterfly garden.
“We are excited to be able to offer milkweed plants to the community again as they were so popular at our last native plant sale that we sold out of them,” said Jenine Tankoos,
chairwoman of the Manalapan Environmental Commission.
Master Gardeners will be on hand with an information booth to answer questions and assist shoppers. All are welcome to attend the plant sale.