Maple Leaf Farms - Garden Center & Country Store in Manalapan, NJ

Welcome to Maple Leaf Farms, your local destination for premium plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, garden decor, mulch, and expert horticulture support in Central New Jersey. Our extensive plant nursery offers high-quality Emerald Green Arborvitae, Green Giant Arborvitae, Boxwoods, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, Viburnums, Crape Myrtles, Japanese Maples, and hundreds of seasonal varieties. Whether you're a landscaper, homeowner, or DIY gardener, we serve both retail and wholesale needs with unbeatable prices and massive inventory.

We specialize in horticulture support, offering custom landscape designs, consultations, plant selection guidance, and site-appropriate recommendations. From perennials and ornamental grasses to flowering trees and privacy hedges, we help you build long-lasting, vibrant landscapes that thrive in the Northeast. Our knowledgeable team includes certified horticulture professionals and landscape designers who can work with you directly or coordinate with your contractor.

Visit our rustic country store for home and garden decor, seasonal goods, soil amendments, fertilizers, bagged mulch, and more. Our farm hosts seasonal events, family attractions, fall festivals, and Christmas markets with hayrides, photo ops, and specialty gifts. Our mission: deliver horticulture with heart, expertise, and unbeatable value. Stop by today or explore our services online.

Services we offer:

Our plants include arborvitae, boxwoods, hollies, azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, perennials, roses, flowering trees, Japanese maples, fruit trees, native plants, pollinator plants, shade trees, flowering shrubs, evergreen screening trees, and much more. Stop in and experience why Maple Leaf Farms is Central New Jersey’s top-rated garden center, trusted by landscapers and home gardeners alike.

Popular categories: Emerald Green Arborvitae, Green Giant Arborvitae, Boxwood Varieties, Hydrangeas (Endless Summer, Limelight, Little Lime), Perennials (Catmint, Salvia, Coral Bells, Black Eyed Susan), Grasses (Maiden Grass, Karl Foerster, Zebra Grass), Trees (Red Maples, Dogwoods, Serviceberry, Kousa Dogwood, Cherry Trees), and Seasonal Flowers (Pansies, Petunias, Marigolds).

New Jersey’s Premier Wholesale Nursery, Garden Center & Plant Specialist

Maple Leaf Farms is your one-stop horticulture destination in New Jersey for everything related to trees, shrubs, perennials, privacy plants, native plants, tropicals, houseplants, and decorative garden products. We serve both retail and wholesale customers, with one of the most diverse and complete selections of plant material in Central NJ. Whether you’re planting a new landscape, adding privacy to your yard, or sourcing plant material for commercial jobs, Maple Leaf Farms delivers value, quality, and expert guidance you can trust.

We are known for our high-volume stock of arborvitae, including 6-10 ft Green Giants, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Nigra Arborvitae, and Degroot’s Spire – available by the dozen or in bulk for privacy hedges. Landscapers, municipalities, property developers, and homeowners turn to us for affordable wholesale pricing and consistent availability.

Looking for perennials and native plants? Our native plant selection includes Echinacea (Coneflower), Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan), Baptisia, Bee Balm, Asters, Coreopsis, Amsonia, and Solidago – all grown to thrive in the Northeast. We also carry native ornamental grasses, ferns, and sedges. Our pollinator and butterfly gardens feature Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Milkweed, Yarrow, and more. Each perennial is selected for bloom time, durability, and its ability to support bees, butterflies, and birds.

Inside our greenhouse, you’ll find a curated collection of houseplants including Peace Lilies, Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Ficus, Dracaena, Palms, Philodendron, Pothos, Alocasia, and rare collector varieties. Whether you’re furnishing an office, home, or storefront, our healthy, established tropical and indoor plants are ready to impress.

In addition to retail-ready material, we specialize in sourcing large caliper specimen trees and field-grown material. We offer on-site pickup or flat-rate delivery with experienced loaders and the ability to assist contractors with large-scale planting jobs. Our country store complements our outdoor sales yard with fertilizers, soil conditioners, mulch, and garden products. And our seasonal farm events bring in thousands of visitors each year for festivals, farm fun, and live entertainment.

Don’t settle for average. Discover why Maple Leaf Farms is the trusted name in NJ for wholesale plants, horticulture expertise, and personalized customer service.

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🌿 The Ultimate Spring Gardening Guide: Best Plants, Lawn Care Tips & Seasonal Must-Do’s

  • Writer: Maple Leaf Farms
    Maple Leaf Farms
  • Mar 17, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Spring is the season of renewal, making it the perfect time to refresh your garden, plant vibrant flowers, and prepare your landscape for months of growth and beauty. Whether you're a home gardener, a landscaping enthusiast, or just getting started, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from the best plants to choose to lawn care essentials and expert gardening tips.

🌱 Step 1: Best Flowers, Trees & Shrubs to Plant This Spring - The Ultimate Spring Gardening Guide

Spring offers an abundance of fast-growing trees, colorful flowers, and lush greenery that thrive in the warming temperatures.

🌼 Top Flowers for a Vibrant Spring Garden

Brighten up your garden with these easy-to-grow, cold-tolerant flowers:

✔ Daffodils & Tulips – The first sign of spring, perfect for flower beds and borders.

✔ Pansies & Violas – Hardy flowers that thrive in cool weather and add cheerful color.

✔ Lilacs & Hydrangeas – Fragrant, lush shrubs that bloom beautifully throughout spring.

✔ Coneflowers & Black-Eyed Susans – Drought-tolerant perennials that attract pollinators.

🔹 Pro Tip: Plant spring flowers in groups of 3 or 5 for a more natural, professional look.

🌳 Best Trees & Shrubs for Spring Landscaping

Trees and shrubs provide structure, shade, and seasonal interest in any landscape.

✔ Dogwood & Redbud Trees – Stunning spring bloomers with pink and white flowers.

✔ Japanese Maple – Elegant foliage that changes color throughout the seasons.

✔ Green Giant Arborvitae – A fast-growing privacy tree that creates a lush, green barrier.

✔ Boxwood & Holly Shrubs – Classic, evergreen options for hedges and foundation planting.

🔹 Planting Tip: Trees should be spaced properly—small ornamental trees (15-20 ft apart), large shade trees (25-40 ft apart)—to allow healthy root growth.

🛠 Step 2: Essential Lawn & Soil Care for Spring

A lush, green lawn starts with proper spring preparation. Follow these key steps to bring your yard back to life after winter.

🌿 Early Spring Lawn Care Checklist

✔ Aerate Your Lawn – Loosen compacted soil to improve air and water flow.

✔ Dethatch & Rake – Remove dead grass and leaves to allow new growth.

✔ Overseed Bare Patches – Fill in thin areas with fresh grass seed.

✔ Fertilize & Apply Lime (If Needed) – Help your lawn recover and boost growth.

✔ Pre-Emergent Weed Control – Prevent crabgrass and weeds before they take over.

🔹 Pro Tip: Test your soil pH—if it’s too acidic, apply lime to create the ideal growing environment.

💧 Step 3: Watering & Mulching for Maximum Growth

Watering correctly in spring ensures your plants and lawn develop deep, healthy root systems.

✔ Water Early in the Morning – Reduces evaporation and prevents fungal growth.

✔ Deep Watering is Best – 1-2 inches of water per week encourages strong roots.

✔ Use Mulch to Retain Moisture – Helps keep soil cool and prevents weeds.

✔ Rain Barrels & Drip Irrigation – Sustainable watering solutions for efficiency.

🔹 Pro Tip: Newly planted trees & shrubs need deep watering 2-3 times per week to establish strong roots.

🌎 Step 4: Eco-Friendly Gardening Trends for 2025

As more gardeners focus on sustainability and low-maintenance landscapes, these eco-friendly trends are gaining popularity:

✔ Pollinator-Friendly Plants – Attract bees & butterflies with coneflowers, lavender & milkweed.

✔ Drought-Tolerant Landscaping – Save water with native plants & stone gardens.

✔ Organic Pest Control – Natural ways to keep gardens pest-free without harsh chemicals.

✔ No-Mow Lawn Alternatives – Ground covers like clover & creeping thyme for a greener, easier lawn.

🔹 Did You Know? Adding native plants reduces maintenance and attracts beneficial wildlife to your garden!

📍 Step 5: Visit Maple Leaf Farms for All Your Spring Gardening Needs!

Looking to refresh your garden this season? Visit Maple Leaf Farms Garden Center & Country Store for the best selection of plants, soil, mulch, fertilizers, and gardening tools. - The Ultimate Spring Gardening Guide -

📍 Location: 525 US-9, Manalapan, NJ 07726📞 Phone: 732-851-4400🌐 Website: www.mapleleaffarmsnj.com

🌿 Start your spring gardening today and transform your landscape with fresh plants & expert advice!



a flowering petunia hanger in spring

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Follow us for updates, seasonal sales, planting tips, and farm events!

We’re open year-round, 7 days a week. Family-owned, customer-trusted. Serving Manalapan, Freehold, Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck, Old Bridge, Jackson, Monroe, and all of Central New Jersey.

Thank you for choosing Maple Leaf Farms – Growing with Passion, Rooted in Tradition.

Serving New Jersey With the Widest Selection of Plants

From our extensive selection of landscape shrubs such as Boxwoods, Hollies, Viburnum, Spirea, Forsythia, and Hydrangea to our towering shade trees like Oaks, Maples, Birch, and Redbuds, we offer premium-grade nursery stock at pricing that reflects our grower-direct approach. Homeowners come from all over the tri-state region because we carry large, mature plants at lower prices than big box stores.

Maple Leaf Farms is also the go-to source for businesses seeking commercial planting solutions. We carry DOT-approved trees, deer-resistant options, and drought-tolerant species. We offer bulk flat pricing on hundreds of shrubs and perennials and stock top brands like Proven Winners, Monrovia, First Editions, and hand-selected growers.

Our team includes certified horticulturists and plant specialists who provide free in-store consultations and paid design services for advanced projects. Whether you need curb appeal, foundation coverage, color through the seasons, or solutions for wet, shady, or rocky areas, we’ll help you build a custom plant list that performs. From new construction to historic restoration, we’re with you from soil to success.

Visit Maple Leaf Farms at 525 Route 9 South, Manalapan, NJ. Call us at 732-851-4400 or email mapleleaffarmsnj@gmail.com. Open daily from 9AM to 5PM. Check out our inventory in person – we do not sell online. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for live inventory updates, garden inspiration, and event news.