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Calgo Gardens in Freehold is much more than a landscape design and garden center. Spread across 7.5 picturesque acres, it’s a peaceful spot with blooming gardens, locally made goods, a café and more.
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Calgo Gardens dates back to 1948, when Charlotte Hirsh founded the business in Toms River. Mark Estomin, who lived next door on a chicken farm, bought the property in 1978. In 2010, he and his wife, Penny, relocated Calgo to Freehold and began expanding beyond traditional landscaping and garden services. To create more of a destination and compete with big-box stores, they added a gift shop, café and monarch butterfly waystation, with the goal of attracting “community-oriented, like-minded people,” Estomin said.
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“The Experience” at Calgo now includes blooming gardens, a brand-new book nook, retail shops selling handmade items, the Tulip Tree Café, and landscape and hardscape design.
Here are 5 reasons why Calgo Gardens should be part of your weekend plans.
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The Book Nook
Calgo Gardens is a peaceful spot to sit, relax and read in nature. Gabby and Gina, owners of the Bound for Adventure mobile bookstore, recently opened a permanent book nook on site. Its grand opening was held last month, making it the newest addition to the Calgo property, with hundreds of new, multi-genre books for readers of all ages.
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“We love Calgo. We had the original grand opening of the mobile bookstore here. We came back to our roots,” Gina said.
Gabby and Gina bring Bound for Adventure to Calgo every weekend. The mobile trailer travels around New Jersey, offering used books for less than $10.
STAFF PHOTO / Bound for Adventure mobile bookstore
“We like to read. … We had so many books, and we were tired, after reading them, of throwing them on the shelves or getting rid of them, so this gave us the opportunity to give them to people who can’t afford Barnes & Noble or who don’t want to wait too long at the library,” Gina said.
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Gabby and Gina also partner with a NICU foundation to donate books for parents and kids. They asked Farmingdale author Maci Bradley to sign 75 copies of her book “Countdown to Goodnight” for donation as well.
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The Barn
A must-see area during your visit is The Barn, a curated artisan gift shop that has all the vibes of a museum, with its beautiful collection of wares from around the world. Ninety-percent of the items are artist-made, or are bought fair trade.
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Selections include gemstone leather bracelets from Montana, pottery from Canada, and handblown glassware from Colombia. You’ll find home and garden décor, jewelry and accessories, handcrafted pottery and textiles.
STAFF PHOTO / Magpie Jewelry
Lydia, the operations manager for Calgo, sells her own collection under the name Magpie Jewelry, and is part of the supportive maker movement.
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There’s also a specially curated children’s section in the back, showcasing books, gifts, toys, clothing and other novelties.
STAFF PHOTO / Tulip Tree Cafe
Farm-Fresh Ingredients
Another relaxing spot is Tulip Tree Café, which uses ingredients from local farms, its own on-site gardens, and fruit and produce markets.
STAFF PHOTO / Tulip Tree Cafe
The daily menu offers avocado toast, omelets, challah French toast, waffles and oatmeal for breakfast; and salads, sandwiches and burgers for lunch. The mushroom burger on brioche, sirloin steak sandwich with roasted peppers, and wild salmon sandwich covered in dill sauce are among the more unique offerings.
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Open every day, you can sit inside or outside on the patio for really pretty views, or use their curbside pickup, delivery or catering services.
STAFF PHOTO / The Caffeinated Dragon
Another big draw is The Caffeinated Dragon Cafe coffee bar parked out front from Friday to Monday. You’ll see lines of people waiting for the chocolate chip cookie latte, cornbread blueberry latte, pineapple refresher, peanut butter chocolate banana bread and mixed berry coffee cake.
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Community-Minded Events
There are several spaces designed with peace, harmony and creativity in mind. Sacred Roots Wellness, Yoga Bliss Love Studios, Inn Vintage, Honeysuckle Nectary & Gardens, MotMot Herbs, Radiant Candle Company and therapist Susan Estomin are part of Calgo’s business community.
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This include pop-ups like Deb-Doo Creations, which sells handmade chunky knit custom products; and a farmers market.
Special events include yoga in the garden (including baby-and-me sessions), bouquet-making workshops, bonsai designing, sip & paint, afternoon tea and journaling.
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Next up is the Art in the Garden Art Show, from 10 am to 4 pm on September 26. The fall day will be all about shopping, discovering, connecting and enjoying. The outdoor market will feature local artists, artisans and small business owners. You can stroll through the gardens, try seasonal foods and listen to live music. A suggested donation of $3 will support Special Strides equine therapy from Monroe Twp.
On October 27, Books, Blooms & Magic is an enchanted book fair and maker’s market with authors, workshops, live music and a curated marketplace, from 12 to 4 pm. Admission is free.
You can also sit and read, or join an informal game of Garden-opoloy.
“We try to create a campus atmosphere of like-minded people,” Mark said.
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Greenhouse and Gardening Needs
Considered a boutique nursery, the staff at Calgo Gardens has a special love for gardeners of all levels. They consider their area to be a “living canvas” and help with choices of annuals, perennials, native plants, houseplants, hard-to-find tropicals, and garden décor.
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Mark’s sons and nephew run the business side of the operation, offering landscaping and hardscaping services.
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The Christmas trees are for landscaping needs, not indoor use – but you can have a custom wreath made for the holidays, or ask about container gardens for the winter.
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Calgo Gardens Landscaping Nursery is located at 462 Adelphia Rd., Freehold. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday.
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