Bel Air Garden Mart Friday Offers Plants, Gardening Advice, 'Bel Air Five' Project Info

BEL AIR, MD — The annual Bel Air Garden Mart this Friday will offer the community a chance to purchase plants while listening to advice and tips from members of local garden clubs and Master Gardeners.

The Harford County Climate Action and its community partners are working on an initiative to save the “Bel Air Five,” four species of butterflies and a species of moth that are at risk from pressures such as habitat loss, food scarcity, overuse of pesticides and herbicides and climate change, according to officials. Native plants, specifically those that can support the Bel Air Five by serving as food sources and habitats, will be available for purchase at the event. People can then plant them in their gardens or yards to support these valuable pollinators.

A food truck will be on site or visitors can check out the downtown Bel Air restaurants for lunch. Admission to the Garden Mart is free and proceeds from plant purchases will go to charities and scholarship programs supported by the garden clubs. The Harford County garden clubs participating include the Country, Evergreen, Friendship and Joppatowne Garden Clubs.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main Street. Parking will be available nearby at the Hickory Avenue garage.

There also will be information tables hosted by the Harford County Master Gardeners, Harford Land Trust, the Bel Air Department of Public Works and Harford County Climate Action offering more information about plants, land stewardship and projects that can be done at home to help the environment and wildlife.