45th Annual Open House Festival and Wine Tasting
Rutgers Gardens has hosted the Annual Open House to the public since 1965 to showcase the latest flower introductions and how they can be displayed in the garden. This year, the Donald B. Lacey Garden will leave you “Spaced Out” as the Gardens has chosen to tie in an international event as we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy. In 2009, the world will be celebrating its 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first use of a telescope to study the skies to the 40th anniversary of first man on the Moon. We will be looking back into the past, seeing our history and exploring the future. I invite you to come and see our future at the Gardens and be “star struck”
Join us for the day to learn more about the Gardens and everything we have to offer!
TIME |
EVENT |
LOCATION |
10:00 am |
Hourly tours of the Donald B. Lacey Display Garden |
Display Garden |
10:30 am |
Garden Lecture – “Herb Gardening” |
Holly House |
11:00 am |
Wine Tasting must be 21 / $5.00 gate fee |
Sun and Shade Garden |
11:00 pm |
Garden Highlights Tour led by MaryAnne McMillan, Volunteer Coordinator |
Potting Shed Gift Shop |
11:00 |
Children’s Activity – Tour the Bamboo Forest and make a Rain Stick |
Holly House-outside |
12:00 pm |
“New Introductions Tour” led by Ira Grasgreen, Eason Horticultural Resources |
Display Garden |
1:00 pm |
Garden Lecture – “Organic Vegetable Gardening” presented by Al Johnson. Al has been growing organically for 35 years, including managing 13 Educational Farms. He is the Former Coordinator of the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at University of California at Santa Cruz. |
Holly House |
2:00 pm |
Garden Lecture – “Farm To School” |
Holly House |
3:00 pm |
Children’s Activity – Plant and learn about vegetable gardening |
Holly House-outside |
Wine Tasting
Six of New Jersey's award winning wineries will attend this year's Wine Garden. Come and sample some of the best wines made from grapes grown in the Garden State. There is a $5 per person fee for tasting and this includes a souvenir glass from one of the wineries in attendance.
Garden Market Place Vendors
Bistro Blends - balsamic vinegar and olive oil blends and bbq sauces
Beaver Run Bakery-baked goods
De'Lightbournes Gourmet
Ducky Life Tea
Kim's Fashion Jewelry - handcrafted jewelry
Fruitwood Farms- fresh local produce
Milestone River Creamery - gourmet ice cream and coffee
Pickelious - pickels, olives
Rutgers Gardens Potting Shed Gift Shop
Thomas Maugham - photos from the Gardens
Woodland Produce - fresh local produce
If you are interested in becoming a vendor for our Garden Marketplace, Wine Tasting or Local Fresh Produce and have questions please contact: Mary Ann Schrum