Grow With Us Plant Sale & Farmers Market

On Saturday, May 11 from 8am to 2pm, Hitchcock kicks off a lively season of spring and summer events with its annual “Grow With Us” Plant Sale, featuring hanging plants which make a perfect Mother’s Day gift, as well as perennials, annuals, and vegetable plants for your garden. Bee and bat houses will also be available while supplies last, and orders will also be taken for later pick-up.  Volunteers will be on hand to answer plant questions to help attendees get the best out of your gardens.

The Hitchcock “Grow With Us” Plant Sale was established in 2020. Previously a fundraiser for the now retired Brimfield Ambulance Fund, Hitchcock was happy to inherit this popular annual event. It is held annually in early to mid-May on the lawn.
Bee and bat houses are generously made to order as a fundraiser for Hitchcock by volunteer Bob Clark. Mason bees are non-aggressive, solitary pollinators that nest in holes in wood already made by other insects or birds. They are ideal pollinators for gardeners. The bee houses are made to attract as many mason bees as possible with holes drilled to mimic the holes that the bees find attractive. Bats pollinate plants and cut down on mosquito populations and other bugs.

The Farmers Market will also be open during the sale from 9 am - 1 pm. Now in its eighteenth year, the market opened in April and will run through to the end of October. The market offers homemade goods and locally grown seasonal plants, produce, meat, baked goods, maple products, ice cream, eggs, crafts, soap, and more. It is open every Saturday through October, rain or shine, with the exception of Brimfield Flea Market weeks in May, July, and September.

Market founder Linda Fuchs of Flourish Farm offers pre-cut and living microgreens along with cold-tolerant herb and vegetable starter plants. Fuchs is especially proud of the access to fresh foods provided by the market.
“These small family businesses return year after year because they care about our community and can provide local products and bring these special money saving programs to town.” Participating vendors Flourish Farms and Hunt Road Berry Farm accept SNAP/HIP benefits along with WIC & Senior Coupons which usually come out in July.

Linda will be joined by Lee from Turnabout Farm with baked goods, bread, jams, pickles, and dog treats, John from Thompson’s Maple Farm with ice cream and maple goods, Sue from Rocky Ridge Beef with honey, eggs, pork, and beef, and Chelsea and Dan of Dabbler’s Notch with their handcrafted wool & wood products. Charlotte of C&C Crafts and Peggy of AP Lavender Essentials will also be selling their hand-sewn products (weather-permitting).

The market also welcomed new vendor Alise of Girlies Cakes who offers gourmet cupcakes mini macarons and several gluten free desserts.
Joining the market later in the season will be Jim of Hunt Road Berry Farm with a variety of fresh produce Fresh flowers from Dragonfly Farms are also offered on select market days at the Hunt Road Berry Farm booth.
Asked what she loves most about the small but mighty market nearing two decades in operation, founder and Flourish Farm owner Linda Fuchs points to the community that has formed between small business owners and customers: “It’s the sharing of knowledge and wonderful conversations. I love the social aspect of being at the market and how we learn from each other.”