Flowers, Plants and Plant Materials locally grown in Northeastern Massachusetts

Celebrate Spring!

A wide variety of flowers, plants and plant material is grown within the Northeast Harvest Buy Local communities of Essex and Middlesex Counties. Many local farms open their season by selling spring flowers, flowering bulbs and herb seedlings. Celebrate the arrival of warmer temperatures, longer days and the start of the growing year by visiting and supporting a Northeast Harvest farmer.

Featured Product: Easter Lily (Lilium Longiflorum)

Easter Lilies abound just in advance of Easter. They make a great gift or lovely addition to your home. When selecting Easter Lilies, buy ones that are just beginning to open. The blooms will only last a few days, so selecting one about to open will allow you the maximum bloom time.

You can continue to enjoy your lily for years to come. After the flower has died off, continue to grow the Lily in it's container until the last frost. Then, transplant your Easter Lily in a flower garden with somewhat rich soil, fairly well drained, and full sun. It should be allowed to continue to grow. Like other spring bulbs, the plant will naturally die off as summer arrives.

In the fall, apply bulb fertilizer or blood meal on top of the soil where your Easter Lily bulb is resting. Carefully, work the fertilizer in without disturbing the bulbs.  In colder climates, add a layer of mulch on top of the soil to protect the bulb from freezing. Your transplanted Easter Lily should awaken the following spring. They will bloom in late spring. However, it may not bloom until the second year after it is transplanted. Many bulbs that have been forced to bloom need a year to recover and return to a normal cycle.

For the Gardener

UMass Extension sponsors statewide programs in Agriculture and Landscape, Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation, Communities, Families and Youth, Nutrition Education and the Massachusetts 4-H Program. These programs, often in partnerships with other organizations, offer research and educational opportunities including workshops, conferences, distance education, training events, consultations, and applied research.

Find flowers, plants and plant materials locally grown in Massachusetts: