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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When Is the Best Time to Plant?

  • Writer: Maple Leaf Farms
    Maple Leaf Farms
  • 7 days ago
  • 3 min read

Early Spring (March – April)

One of the best times to plant

  • Ideal for: Trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses

  • Cool temperatures reduce stress

  • Soil is moist, encouraging root growth

  • Plants establish before summer heat


Why it works: Roots grow quickly in cool soil, giving plants a strong start.



Mid Spring (April – May)

Peak planting season

  • Ideal for: Everything (trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses)

  • Warmer soil = faster root development

  • Longer days promote growth


Tip: This is when most people plant, great availability and optimal conditions.



Late Spring (May – June)

Still excellent for planting

  • Ideal for: All plant types

  • Slightly warmer temps mean faster top growth

  • Requires more consistent watering


Tip: Mulch becomes important to retain moisture.



Early Summer (June)

Good with proper care

  • Ideal for: Container-grown trees, shrubs, perennials

  • Plants establish well with regular watering


Watch for: Heat stress, watering becomes critical.



Mid Summer (July)

Planting is still possible

  • Ideal for: Hardy shrubs, perennials, grasses

  • Avoid planting during heat waves (90–100°F+)


Key factor: Deep watering and mulch are essential.



Late Summer (August)

Underrated planting time

  • Ideal for: Trees, shrubs, perennials

  • Soil is warm, which encourages root growth

  • Slightly cooler nights help reduce stress



Early Fall (September)

Another BEST time to plant

  • Ideal for: Trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses

  • Warm soil + cool air = perfect root conditions

  • Less stress than summer planting


Why it works: Roots continue growing even as top growth slows.



Mid Fall (October)

Excellent for long-term establishment

  • Ideal for: Trees and shrubs especially

  • Cooler temps reduce transplant shock



Late Fall (November)

Still viable for planting

  • Ideal for: Trees, shrubs, dormant perennials

  • Root systems continue to develop underground



Early Winter (December – mild conditions)

Situational planting

  • Possible if ground is not frozen

  • Best for: Trees and shrubs



Mid Winter (January – February)

Pause on planting

  • Ground is typically frozen

  • Not ideal for installation



Best Time to Plant by Plant Type

a little boy playing with a planter box

Trees

  • Best: Early spring and fall

  • Can be planted: Spring through fall

  • Avoid: Extreme heat and frozen ground


Shrubs

  • Best: Spring and fall

  • Flexible: Can handle summer planting with watering


Perennials

  • Best: Spring and early fall

  • Can be planted: Throughout growing season


Ornamental Grasses

  • Best: Spring through early fall

  • Prefer warm soil to establish



Key Planting Tips for Success

  • Water deeply after planting

  • Add mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

  • Avoid planting during extreme heat or freezing conditions

  • Morning or evening planting reduces stress



Why Timing Matters

People often search:

  • When is the best time to plant trees?

  • Can you plant shrubs in summer?

  • Is fall a good time to plant perennials?


The reality: Modern nursery plants (container-grown) allow for extended planting seasons, far beyond traditional spring-only planting.



Planting in New Jersey & the Northeast

In NJ and the Northeast:

  • Spring and fall are ideal

  • Summer planting is very doable with proper care

  • Fall planting often leads to stronger root systems by the next season



Why Shop Maple Leaf Farms

At Maple Leaf Farms, we carry:

  • A large selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials

  • Plants ready for planting throughout the entire growing season

  • Inventory that supports both spring and fall planting success


Whether you're planting in early spring or late fall, we have the selection and quantity to get your project done.



Visit Maple Leaf Farms Today

No matter the season, if conditions are right, it’s a good time to plant. Stop in and explore our selection, you’ll find everything you need to get growing.

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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.