Attendance at Trade Secrets is “sacrosanct” to Martha Stewart, who gets up around 5:00 a.m. to be among early buyers at the annual garden event which has become one of New England’s “finest annual horticulture outings” with over 40 vendors offering rare plants, urns, implements, and statues under canopies on the fields of Lime Rock Park. Later, regular admission and then late bloomer patrons join in the shopping and book signings. Attendees receive complimentary copies of CTC&G from co-sponsor Connecticut Cottages & Gardens.
The event held Sunday this year was preceded Saturday with tours of local gardens including that of Bunny Williams who founded the event in her yard over 20 years ago. All Trade Secret activities benefit non-profit domestic violence agency Project SAGE, supporting a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy to client victims and survivors.
Trade Secrets is held at Lime Rock Park
Guests check in at the reception tables
Each ticket holder receives a tote bag for purchases
Attendees receive complimentary copies of CTC&G
Vendors set up tents around the lawns
The show gets bigger every year
Breakfast is included with early admissions
Enjoying breakfast
A colorful vendor from Hunter Bee
Martha Stewart was shopping for plants
Numbered spaces guide shoppers to pick up their purchases
Some shoppers bought wearable blossoms
A one-of-a-kind purchase
A pleased shopper
