Grow with Grace: Bugged Out and Relaxing with the Fruits of Garden Labor — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

After all the hot summer garden work—and before fall gardening really kicks into full swing—I'm off to parts north to snip a few plant samples for propagation and sip a few cocktails for relaxation. While I'm spending time in a beautiful place by the sea, the new school year is kicking off here in the Rumson-Fair Haven area. I'm a geek — no shock there — so I loved going back to school at Rumson Country Day School. New clothes, old friends and the best lunches! Some of my favorite childhood memories are of fall at Country Day. While I won't be toiling in the soil this week, a whole bunch of my friends are having a ball preparing for a fantastic family event here in Monmouth County. I'm giving everyone an early heads-up so there's plenty of time to mark those calendars. On Saturday, Sept. 19, the Bugs, Birds, and Beyond Children's Festival returns to the Monmouth County Agriculture Building in Freehold. Check out the flyer to see everything this free event has to offer. Crafts, garden tours, storytelling and encounters with creatures ranging from butterflies to raptors make this a really special day for the whole family. Make sure to visit the Junior Master Gardener garden, where children ages 9 to 11 learn how to grow their own food. There will also be plenty of information about getting children involved in Monmouth County's agricultural life through both Junior Master Gardeners and 4-H. My little love bugs won't be in attendance, but I hope yours will! And to make your Labor Day, here's that garden-fresh recipe card again and the link to some unique, garden herb-inspired cocktails here. Cheers! Happy Labor Day! Grace