Sewickley is going green.
The Sewickley Civic Garden Council’s May Mart’s theme is “Keeping Sewickley Green.”
The garden market tradition has been happening for six decades.
May Mart brings about 70 garden clubs, nurseries and nature-oriented businesses to the heart of town on May 10 along Broad Street, selling a selection of annuals and perennials.
“The day is about appreciating the simple joys of life, such as planting flowers, herbs and vegetables,” said Grapevine Garden Club member Terri Tunick of Bell Acres. Tunick and Lynn Popovich help acquire the vendors as part of a committee for the event. “There is nothing like buying a fresh tomato and having it for dinner later that night.”
There will be six garden clubs selling flowers, plants, herbs and vegetables, and representatives from garden clubs will share gardening tips and advice.
Food choices include pies and jams from Sand Hill Berries, spices from Steel City Salt, honeys from Hughes Honey Farm, mustards from Miller’s Gourmet and nuts, apricot and poppyseed rolls from Glencoe Gourmet. Cinnamon rolls from Oram’s Donut Shop in Beaver Falls will be for sale. St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church from Aliquippa, Sewickley United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will be selling food.
Non-profit organizations such as Fern Hollow and Sweetwater Center for the Arts will also take part. Sweetwater will showcase its Sweet Ride Mobile Art unit, a revamped van turned mobile art gallery that will bring art to schools, senior living facilities and other areas of the city through classes and workshops.
Artisans who create items with a botanical aspect to them will be selling garden wares, repurposed items, eco-friendly merchandise, art, natural body care products and garden-themed gifts with Mother’s Day in mind.
Children’s activities include a balloon artist and crafts such as plant-a-pot made from recycled materials.
The Bell School of Irish Dance will perform a variety of Irish dances.
“It’s a fun, family event,” Tunick said.
To boost “Keeping Sewickley Green,” PittMoss and Zero Waste Wrangler will be available to talk about their programs, recycling and composting.
The Sewickley Farmer’s Market, rummage sale at the Sewickley United Methodist Church and the used garden books for sale at the Sewickley Library will also be taking place.
Each council member club funds, plants and maintains one of Sewickley Village’s gardens or public spaces, including Wolcott Park, Sewickley Post Office, Sewickley Public Library Patio and Walnut Street Parklet. In addition, the council funds many local projects through gifts and grants funded through its biannual grant cycle. Proceeds from the sales at May Mart will support these clubs’ efforts.
The council awards financial grants to other groups for their beautification and conservation efforts with funds raised from its major fundraiser, the Sewickley Garden Tour, which is usually held every other year but was moved to June 2027 because the Child Health Association of Sewickley House Tour is planned for May 2026.
“The novice gardener coming to May Mart can learn about various plants and experience gardening,” Tunick said. “I love that there is such an interest in gardening. It’s a craft people can enjoy for years. Gardens beautify an area. Gardening is relaxing. I love digging in the dirt and planting things and seeing them come to life. It’s an activity you can share with your children and grandchildren.”
Participating garden clubs
Edgeworth Garden Club will have a large variety of flowers, succulents, tomatoes, and perennials.
Grapevine Garden Club will have a large variety of heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables.
The Little Garden Club will be selling “No Brain Containers,” which are a pre-selected group of sun or shade annuals to place in your decorative planters. Additional items such as hydrangeas, orchids and perennials will be for sale.
Trowel & Error Garden Club will have begonias, impatiens, vinca, Alyssum, Lobelia, Ageratum and Victoria Blue Annual Salvia.
Village Garden Club will be selling herbs, deer-resistant perennials and native plants.