With all state and county parks closed, safely enjoying spring’s blooming trees and flowers is more challenging this year. Thankfully, farms and festivals have developed creative ways for you to experience—and even take home—a sample of the season.
Photo by Alice Dietrich on Unsplash
Order Tulips for Pickup or Delivery from Holland Ridge Farms
On April 8, the popular Cream Ridge farm known for its huge spring tulip festival and fall sunflower fair was prepared to offer tulip lovers a drive-thru experience. But the state shut down the operation, so the farm instead pivoted to offering curbside pickup of 10-stem tulip bunches for $4.99 plus tax. Customers can come to the main entrance of the farm to pick up their pre-ordered flowers. Want the tulips delivered right to your front door? The farm is also offering tulip surprise boxes for delivery in New Jersey as well as many Northeast states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont. That means you can order some for yourself and also send some to your stuck-at-home friends and family. The surprise boxes contain two bunches in two mystery colors for $9.99 plus tax and delivery. The farm plans to offer these services until Mother’s Day, or until they run out of tulips. Add even more color to your quarantine with these printable coloring pages for kids.
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Morven in May Becomes a Curbside Plant Sale
The Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton has hosted the Morven in May plant sale for 19 years. This year’s fundraiser has become a digital mega-plant sale in April, with safe curbside pickup slated for May. Flower and plant options include veggies, fruits, hanging plants, perennials and container plants. Place your order through April 20 via this online form, or by calling 609-924-8144 ext. 117, between 10 am and 3 pm from Monday–Saturday. After you place your order, you will be contacted to arrange a pickup day and time for after May 5. At pickup, staff will place your order in the trunk of your car.
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Take a Drive-Thru Tour of Tulips at Dalton Farms
The 99-acre farm in Swedesboro typically holds a tulip festival in April. To adhere to social-distancing measures this year, they switched gears to present a drive-thru tulip tour, scheduled to run through April 19, weather permitting. Tulip bouquets will be for sale at the end of the tour. All visitors are required to stay in their vehicles at all times. Tickets cost $20 per carload and must be purchased online in advance. (They sell out in minutes, so act fast!) Watch for announcements on their Facebook page. *As of April 19, the farm was ordered to cease all operations*
Photo by Jacqueline Klecak
Drive Through Branch Brook Park to See Cherry Blossoms
“We are asking the public to remain in their cars and enjoy the view as they drive thru the park. This is the most effective way to maintain social distancing,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., on Facebook. Each year, the more than 4,000 blooming trees create one of the largest cherry blossom extravaganzas in the world. Events associated with this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival have been cancelled, including family day on April 18 and Bloomfest on April 19. The park is closed to pedestrians. Police are monitoring the park, and people walking on paths or sitting in stopped vehicles will be questioned. Another option: Watch this drive-by video of the blooms.
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