Guided Tour of Octoraro Farm Nursery

Another unique HPS/MAG pop-up you won’t want to miss – a tour of Octoraro Farm Nursery – a beef cattle farm turned native plant nursery. In the 1960’s this nursery was a large beef cattle feedlot operation with about 250 Black Angus cows. From the road the property still looks like a cattle farm – until you approach the barns and see tens of thousands of plants! On this tour you will learn how this conversion was carried out. There are still some ruminant remnants of the former cattle farm, but today it is more of a gentleman’s farm with just four Scottish Highland cattle.

In its present form, Octoraro Farm is a wholesale nursery specializing in native plants with an emphasis on wildflowers, ferns, species deciduous azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. Most of the varieties found here are not readily available elsewhere. The four 100-foot-long pole barns house the plant nursery (photo on right) and the former silage pit is now a propagation greenhouse. There is a beautiful copper silo (center photo) and idyllic views across the fields to Octoraro Creek and to the Goat Hill Serpentine Barrens in the distance (photo on left).

The couple behind this impressive enterprise is Harold Sweetman and his wife Christine; they have owned Octoraro Farm since 1988. Harold Sweetman retired as Executive Director of Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens in 2019 after 33 years. Jenkins and Octoraro were a parallel effort all those years. But now, Harold devotes all his time to growing plants and to personal creative pursuits in silversmithing, jewelry making, woodworking, and developing the surrounding landscape into a botanical garden. And be sure to check out Harold’s gardening tool museum! Also of note, Harold has been a member of HPS/MAG since 1989. Thank you, Harold, for supporting HPS for 35 years and counting!

This is a rain or shine event as much of the growing area is under cover. Walking is mostly level with a short downhill from the barns/nursery to the house. Dress for the weather and wear your walking shoes.

You are invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in this beautiful and relaxing farm setting. Beverages will be provided. The farmhouse has covered patio in the event of rain. Restrooms are available. There will also be some gold and silver jewelry with exotic wood accents for sale, and perhaps a few plants.

This is a Members Only event and is limited to 25 participants. Registration is required. $5 per attendee.

To register for this event click here.  Registration closes October 13^th. Make your moo-ve and register now before this tour fills up.

Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

Parking directions will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

HPS Contact: Laura Axel at [email protected]