Warm breezes, sunny days and blooming trees signal the end of a long winter, but for some residents, spring doesn't truly arrive until the Wareham Garden Club holds its annual Spring Plant & Bake Sale. The sale, held on Saturday, May 18, is known for its large selection of plants, bright fresh-cut flowers, home-baked goods, unique gifts, and friendly, attentive people.

The majority of the perennial and vegetable plants, as well as all of the food and hand-made products such as natural soaps, herbal sachets, lavender aromatherapy sprays, and woodworking projects, were made and donated by nearly 90 Garden Club members.

“Many of the plants came from the club members’ gardens, which is a really good thing because you know that these plants have been well-nourished by gardeners who know what they are doing,” said Garden Club Vice President Diane Cook.

The sale serves as a fundraiser to support upcoming events, guest speakers, and workshops, and scholarships for Wareham High School and college students who choose to pursue plant science-related majors, including but not limited to agroecology, horticulture, and crop production.

Each year, the club gives away three $1,000 scholarships. Students who have resided in Wareham for at least a year are encouraged to pick up an application at the school Guidance & Counseling Department and will be selected based on their academic achievements and community involvement.

The club also enhances the town appearance by planting and maintaining flowers on Main Street, at the lighthouses on Route 28 near the police station, and other areas in Wareham.

“We are trying to instill and spread more community pride through the town beautification,” explained Garden Club President Peter LaBouliere. “Beautification is an important aspect of community development, and it can be a great way to bring people together.”

Although LaBouliere admitted that operating the club and overseeing all the events is time-consuming, he enjoys doing it because the gardening process is “therapeutic and calming,” and everyone in the club “contributes their best effort and is always ready to step in and help out when needed.”

Club member Connie Wiliszowski talked about the warm and encouraging nature of the club. Prior to joining the Garden Club eight years ago, she wanted to “expand her planting knowledge,” and now she finds joy in “just enjoying the company.”

“There is such a diverse mixture of members here,” said Wiliszowski. “Most of us are retired, but there are some who have not. We have both men and women and we have both long-term residents and the residents who recently moved here. It is a great community where you get to meet people who come from all over the place.”

On May 29, the Wareham Garden Club will collaborate with Aptucxet Garden Club of Bourne to celebrate their 80th anniversary on 226 Great Neck Rd. from 2 to 4 p.m. On July 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,  the club will also hold its Garden Tour Fundraiser, which will start at The Wareham Free Library on 59 Marion Rd.