Martha Stewart, Garden Tours, and More at Trade Secrets This Weekend

Martha Stewart, the doyenne of the domestic arts, is set to grace the 25th annual Trade Secrets event at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, once again this weekend. Stewart will participate in a book signing during the Rare Plants & Garden Antiques Sale on Sunday, May 18.

The weekend-long celebration begins on Saturday, May 17, with self-guided tours of some of the region's most exquisite gardens before heading to Lime Rock for the main event. While Connecticut garden locations have sold out, tickets remain for three New York sites.

All proceeds from both days go to benefit Project SAGE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence in the community.

Saturday in the Gardens

In Millbrook, Clove Brook Farm, the home of designer Christopher Spitzmiller and landscape architect Anthony Bellomo, opens its gates. This meticulously restored 1830s Greek Revival farmhouse boasts formal gardens, a dovecote, and a neoclassical pool house. The gardens have been chronicled in Spitzmiller’s book, A Year at Clove Brook Farm, which happens to have a foreword written by Stewart.

Also in Millbrook, Innisfree Garden welcomes Trade Secret goers. This 185-acre public garden, inspired by Chinese and Japanese design principles, features streams, waterfalls, and a glacial lake. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Innisfree was founded around landscape architect Lester Collins' vision of nature and design living in harmony.

In Amenia, Wethersfield Estate and Garden invites visitors to explore its classical Italian Renaissance-inspired gardens. Founded by philanthropist Chauncey Stillman, the estate encompasses formal gardens, a wilderness garden with sculptures, and 10 miles of woodland trails. The meticulously maintained grounds reflect Stillman's focus on conservation and classical art.

Sunday with Martha and Bunny

On Sunday, the focus shifts to Lime Rock for the Rare Plants & Garden Antiques Sale. From 7:30am to 2pm, attendees can browse offerings from dozens of specialty vendors, including rare plants, garden antiques, vintage décor, and hard-to-find books. 

Stewart will be signing Martha Stewart’s Gardening Handbook from 9:30am to 10:30am. The book serves as a comprehensive guide for both novice and experienced gardeners, covering topics from soil composition and plant selection to detailed care instructions for a variety of plant types.

Trade Secrets founder, designer Bunny Williams, will then be meeting attendees from 10:30am to 11:30pm. She will be signing her books Life in the Garden, an exploration of her personal gardens in Connecticut, and On Garden Style, which provides practical advice on envisioning and designing garden spaces that reflect individual taste and style.

From 11:30am to 12:30pm a trio of design-world pros will be signing their books as well. Mieke ten Have brings Interiors Styled, which delves into the art of interior styling, revealing techniques for creating compelling and beautiful living spaces that highlight personal expression.

Frances Palmer's Life in the Studio invites readers into her creative world, sharing her journey as a potter, gardener, and photographer. The book offers inspiration on cultivating a life centered around creativity.

Rosie Daykin's The Side Gardener combines gardening insights with recipes, chronicling how she transformed a small patch of land into a lush garden then sharing ways to enjoy the harvest through simple, fresh dishes.

Tickets for the garden tours are $20 per person. Entry to the Sunday sale is staggered throughout the day, with ticket prices varying based on entry time: early buyer tickets at 9:00 AM include breakfast and cost $150; general admission at 10:30am is $50; and late bloomer tickets at noon are $25. Free parking, including handicap-accessible options, is available.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tradesecretsct.com.