Brevard gardeners will not soon forget the first few weeks of 2026, when pleasant weather gave way to freezes that left yards looking moribund.
Green gurus such as Sally Scalera with the UF/IFAS Extension Service advised patience before ripping out the dreary looking landscape. They were right, for in many cases, Mother Nature took pity and provided hope in the form of nascent shoots.
Unfortunately, however, not every plant survived and replacements are needed. Two upcoming events will provide a robust supply of new trees and plants to revive our beleaguered backyards.
Brevard Tropical Fruit Club tree sale
Brevard Tropical Fruit Club’s annual tree sale will offer more than 3,000 specimens to cheer the souls of gardeners with planting areas ranging from hobby farms to condo balcony gardens. The sale goes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, on the grounds of Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Admission is free, but “frequent buyers” at the event know to arrive early to pick from the best selection.
The inclement weather of this past winter have forced Brevard gardeners to adopt new perspectives.
“After this freeze, I think a lot of us are looking at our yards a little differently,” said Lucia Chankersingh, a member of the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club. “I know I am. I lost some younger trees, especially the ones in pots that I didn’t get to cover in time, but it also reminded me how important placement and planning really is.”
“Over time, through learning and being part of the club, I’ve seen how much where you plant matters,” Chankersingh said. “That’s why this tree sale is important. It gives people a chance to start again, but smarter.”
Even if your yard consists of an oceanfront balcony, fruit trees are possible with some of the varieties the tree sale will offer.
“We’ll even have what we call ‘condo mango’ trees, smaller varieties you can grow in tighter spaces or on a patio,” Chankersingh added.
For more information, visit brevardtropicalfruitclub.com.
‘Spring Fling’ and ‘Bees, Butterflies & Blooms’ Festival
In addition to the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club sale, gardeners can also find plenty of greenery to purchase at the Fourth Annual Spring Fling Plant Sale and Bees, Butterflies & Blooms Festival. The name is quite the mouthful because it combines two events in one from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at 3695 Lake Dr., Cocoa.
This collaboration between the UF/IFAS Brevard Discovery Garden and Brevard Backyard Beekeepers is the first time the two popular family-friendly spring events join forces for a day devoted to gardens and their pollinators.
The event includes a native and Florida-friendly plant sale, beekeeping demonstrations, educational programs and workshops throughout the day, local vendors, pollinator habitat demonstrations, raffles, giveaways, food trucks and hands-on adult and children’s activities.
RSVP is gently encouraged at the fourth annual Spring Fling Eventbrite page, where more information is also available. Follow the Brevard Discovery Garden on Facebook for updates, educational information, and future events.
Attending the Brevard Tropical Fruit Club’s tree sale and Spring Fling are certain to lift sagging spirits and provide additional awareness of how to successfully cope with uncertain weather patterns.
“We’re learning, rebuilding and growing together,” Chankersingh said. “This is how we grow forward as a community, learning from the freeze, replanting together and building gardens that last.”
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