Prepare for spring now with daffodil planting

Ringwood — New Jersey Botanical Garden volunteers will work with the garden’s expert staff on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, to plant hundreds of daffodils (narcissus) in the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. Kids are welcome, so bring the family and help us make a colorful display for all garden visitors to enjoy. It’s also a great place to get answers to your questions about spring bulbs in your own garden. This mass bulb planting will enhance the lovely daffodils which bloom in late April throughout the Botanical Garden, always an early and welcome sign of spring. These deer-resistant beauties return year after year in vibrant displays of yellow, orange, salmon and white, and make a fine addition to any garden. Bring gloves and a trowel if you have them, and wear sturdy shoes. No experience is necessary, and children are welcome. Meet on the Great Lawn behind the Carriage House. The rain date is Oct. 31, 10 a.m. - noon. The New Jersey Botanical Garden holds hands-on workshops throughout the growing season, working with many different plants under expert guidance. Be sure to check next year’s calendar for workshops on lilacs, hosta, perennials, wildflowers, and much more. The New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, which appears on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the year. Admission to the garden is always free; parking is also free in fall, winter and spring.