A Spring Guide to Staunton’s Gardens, Farms, and Markets

(Published 04/14/2022)

Want to take a springtime walk and see some flowers? Want to learn about sustainable farming practices and how to fill your own garden with native Virginia plants? How about getting your hands on the first fresh produce of the season? Here’s our spring roundup of Staunton’s gardens, farms, and markets.

Historic Garden Week Staunton Tour

Historic Garden Week returns to Staunton at the peak of spring. Tour attendees can stroll through Colonial Williamsburg-inspired Baldwin Place to see two beautifully landscaped homes and a floral design demonstration and gardening talk. A short walk away, the extensive gardens at Waverley Hill will also be on display. Originally designed in 1929, the house and gardens have been recently restored. Musicians from the Staunton Music Festival will play in the gardens.

Historic Garden Week has been held since 1927 when it was used to raise funds to restore Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate. Each year, more than 250 historic homes across the state open their doors and grounds to visitors. Proceeds go toward preserving and restoring public gardens in Virginia.

In honor of Garden Week, bring the kids to Staunton Augusta Art Center’s Spring Fling. Experience a day long celebration of Spring, Gardens and Poetry. Come make a flower and pollinator “zine” out of watercolor, see artists drawing and painting, and hear poetry being read!

Staunton Gardens

Even if you can’t make Garden Week, you’ll see plenty of blooms as you explore Staunton’s residential neighborhoods. Gardens in many of our public spaces also shine. 

• The Historic Gardens at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum are open to the public from dawn to dusk and do not require a ticket to enter. Maintained by the Garden Club of Virginia, the gardens include perennials, lilacs, boxwoods, and hostas. 

• Make sure to visit the award-winning Brenda L. Papke Memorial Sensory Garden at the Staunton Library. This small, universally accessible space is designed to stimulate all five senses.  

• The Augusta Garden Club’s Project Dogwood has planted over 150 of these springtime beauties in Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall Park. They’ve also erected signage to identify and provide information about the different types of trees.

Nearby Gardens and Farms

• White Oak Lavender Farm (Harrisonburg) provides beautiful views, a chance to tour the lavender fields and pick some lavender when in season, a lavender shop, a discovery area for kids, and a tasting room for the Purple WOLF Vineyard.

• Stroll along the peaceful trails at JMU’s 125-acre Edith J. Carrier Arboretum (Harrisonburg) for inspiration on how to use native Virginia flowers, trees, and shrubs in your own landscaping. You’ll find water features, artwork, play areas for kids, and more, nestled in the wooded environment.
• You probably visit Stable Craft Brewing (Waynesboro) for the craft beer, agri-pub food, and music, but you can also sign up for a tour of the facilities. This brewery and event space is on a beautiful working horse farm, and tours teach about the brewery’s sustainable practices and offer a peek behind the scenes. 
• Polyface Farms (Swoope) leads the nation in best-practices farming. Polyface also offers self-guided tours, scheduled lectures, and private tours. You can buy pasture-raised, hormone/antibiotic-free chicken, beef, pork, and eggs at the farm store. 

Markets

• Tap into the heart of the community at Staunton Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning from April through Thanksgiving. Everything sold here has been grown or produced from within 75 miles. You’ll find the freshest seasonal produce, herbs, plants, and cut flowers. Producers also sell meat, cheese, baked goods, honey, and pickled items. 

• Verona’s North Augusta Farmer’s Market operates each Wednesday afternoon (May-October) at the Augusta County Government Center. You’ll enjoy perusing the big selection of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, bakery items, honey, and artisan crafts.
• JMD Farm Market & Garden Center sells vegetable and garden plants, pottery, seasonal produce, meats, eggs, and local honey. Do your shopping, and then enjoy a glass of wine while the kids play on the small natural playground.

• The Valley Pike Farm Market (Weyers Cave) emphasizes local and Virginia products and includes a coffee shop, deli, ice cream shop, bakery, and food trucks. You can also buy many varieties of Virginia wine and beer.
• Plan an upcoming summer excursion to pick your own fruit at Critzer Family Farm, which grows strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pumpkins, and fresh veggies.