Native Plants Take Center Stage at Madison's Eco Garden Tour and Plant Sale on September 21

Madison, NJ – On Saturday, September 21, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm, Madison will host its annual Eco Garden Tour and Native Plant Sale, a celebration of native plants and eco-friendly gardening. Organized by the Madison Environmental Commission (MEC) in partnership with The Nature of Reading Bookshop, the event will highlight the beauty and ecological benefits of native plants, known for attracting butterflies and bees.

Visitors will be able to explore nine different gardens throughout Madison, each showcasing various native plant species. The $10 ticket fee will support a new Nature Lover’s Speaker Series, co-hosted by the MEC and The Nature of Reading Bookshop. Tickets can be purchased online at thenatureofreading.com/ecogardentour.

As part of the tour, Toadshade Wildflower Farm will hold a Native Plant Sale, offering attendees a chance to purchase plants that are typically not found at standard garden centers. 

"Native plants aren’t a garden center staple," said Claire Whitcomb, MEC chair. "If you see one you like in a neighbor’s yard, you can ask about it at the Toadshade sale." 

Pre-orders are available online for pickup during the tour at toadshade.com/CommonList.html.

In addition to the garden displays, the tour will feature a range of eco exhibitors, including Blue Sky Green Earth electric landscaping, the Great Swamp Watershed Association, and the New Jersey chapter of the National Butterfly Association, among others. These exhibitors will provide valuable insights into sustainable landscaping and conservation practices.

The Nature of Reading Bookshop will host a pop-up shop during the event, offering nature-themed books and eco-friendly gifts for both children and adults.

“We’re so excited to be part of this tour again, and to be co-host this year,” says owner Hailey Brock. “Reading about nature and learning firsthand from our local environments are critical in strengthening our relationship with the natural world and engaging in climate action.”

The tour encourages residents to take small steps towards climate action. Whitcomb highlighted the importance of Dr. Doug Tallamy’s book, Nature’s Best Hope, which has inspired many to plant native species and reduce lawn areas.

“Nature’s Best Hope by Dr. Doug Tallamy changed so many of us,” Claire Whitcomb, MEC chair says. “It’s an eye-opening book everyone should read because it breaks climate action into small plots of hope. If we all take back a corner of our yards by shrinking the lawn and planting native species that benefit pollinators and birds, then collectively, we can create a powerful impact and, hopefully, help reverse troubling bird and insect declines. It’s also simply really fun to see so much life in your yard as a result.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thenatureofreading.com/ecogardentour.

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