A wide variety of plants were sold || Brendan Cassidy
After a “brutally freezing” outdoor garden sale in 2025, the Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott moved the annual fundraiser inside for Saturday’s 2026 rendition, drawing a steady stream of customers while raising money for the club.
Rain fell lightly outside as visitors made their way inside Marblehead’s VFW building. They were met inside by hundreds of plants of many shapes, sizes and smells. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, many children and their fathers did some last minute shopping.
Along with plants, Saturday’s garden sale featured baskets, containers and other treasures.
The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott have been digging, planting and watering in the area for 85 years.
The sale was held inside after a rain soaked sale a year ago || Brendan Cassidy
Made up of around 60 members, the group meets every month and helps plant in numerous locations around Marblehead – with the hope that expansion into Swampscott is right around the corner.
“This is our only fundraiser,” said Club Member Bonnie Weinberg. “It gives us money for our projects as well as scholarships.”
Weinberg, a Swampscott resident, joined the club after moving from California in 2020. She joined the group to learn more about native plants and gardening practices, which she said are much different from her previous home.
Customers shop for plants || Brendan Cassidy
“I’ve met very good friends through the club,” said Weinberg. “It’s a working club. It’s not just a garden club where people sit around and drink tea and arrange flowers. We get out there and we’re in the dirt.
Weinberg explained that the plant sale had been held outside in recent years, often exposing members, customers and plants to the harsh weather synonymous with early spring. The new location helped bear fruit – or flowers – for the club on the rainy day, with a noticeably busy turnout and a flow of customers walking out of the door holding newly purchased plants.
“This is just ideal,” Weinberg said of the new location of the sale. “We’re all feeling very grateful and rewarded that we have this spot. Last night we were all so excited after setting things up all day and, wow, it looks so great.”
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