The Underground April Nursery Tour
Westport and Dartmouth, Massachusetts/Rhode Island Border
Saturday, April 26, 2008 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
Registration is free but required.

Download our program flyer

Download our map

Please note that some destinations listed below may change.

Join us for a self-guided tour of some popular nurseries and other destinations on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Border. Our tour will feature NorthStar Farm where we will be treated to a special open house held just for The Underground. Other suggested places to visit will be listed and maps will be provided.

Featured Nursery

NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers
Special Underground Open House from 9:00-4:00
(light fare and beverages will be provided)
1154 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-0866
NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers in Westport, MA, is a 5 acre farm founded in 2006 and owned and operated by Steve Hancock (member of The Underground). They are a wholesale grower of quality perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses and herbs. The 2 acre gutter-connected greenhouse was originally built to grow hydroponic lettuce but now houses all manor of wonderful perennials. The nursery will hold an open house between 9:00-4:00 and Steve will point out some great plant selections that you will want to consider for this season.

Directions:
From Metro-West area:
Rte. 128/95 South. Stay on Rte.128 at the 95 split. Follow until the Rte.24 exit (exit 4). Follow Rte. 24 for approx. 35 miles and take exit 4 onto Rte. 195 East towards Cape Cod (this is a LEFT hand exit). QUICKLY get into the right lane and take exit 10 onto Rte 88 South (Horseneck Beach). Follow thru 3 traffic lights. At the 4th light turn right onto Hixbridge Rd. This is very short.....follow to the end. Turn left onto Main Rd. We are at 1154(on the left) and will have a maker out at the end of our dirt laneway to lead you in.

From Boston area:
Take Rte. 93 South and stay on 93 when Rte 3 splits to the left. Follow 93 South towards Milton and get into the left lane fairly quickly. Look for the Rte. 24 South exit (left exit) and follow directions from above from the start of Rte. 24.

West of Boston near 495:
495 South to Rte. 24 South. Follow Rte. 24 to exit 4 (Left Exit) onto Rte. 195 East towards Cape Cod. Quickly get into the right lane and take exit 10 onto Rte. 88 South (Horseneck Beach). Follow thru 3 sets of lights. Turn right at the 4th light onto Hixbridge Rd. This is very short. Turn left onto Main Rd. We are a few hundred feet up on the left at #1154......we will have a sign or marker out to lead you in our dirt laneway.

Other Nurseries to See

Avant Gardens
Hours from 9:00-5:00
710 High Hill Rd.
Dartmouth, MA 02747
508-998-8819
Avant Gardens in Dartmouth, MA, is owned and operated by Kathy and Chris Tracey. It is a small family run nursery that propagates what they sell. The choice plants they grow can't be had that easily. They grow a tremendous variety of plants (many they don't even list), but do not propagate in great quantities. They aim to cater to the more adventurous gardeners with their unusual selections. They have established some delightful gardens and their mixed borders artistically combine the unusual trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals that they sell at the nursery.

Sylvan Nursery
Hours from 9:00-5:00
1028 Horseneck Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-4573
Sylvan Nursery, Inc. in Westport, MA is a 300 acre wholesale nursery that was incorporated in 1990. They specialize in growing heath, heathers, bearberry and native seaside shrubs. They also run a very large re-wholesale yard where you will find specimen plants of all kinds. This nursery is a large scale supplier of plant materials in New England.

Other Points of Interest

Westport River Vineyards
Hours from 11:00-5:00
417 Hixbridge Road
Westport, MA 02790
1-800-993-9695
Westport River Vineyards began in 1982 when Bob & Carol Russell bought an old dairy farm in Westport, Massachusetts. The winery opened to the public during the summer of 1991. Westport Rivers is a family owned vineyard and winery producing estate grown wines from New England's largest vineyard. Their wines include traditional method sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Riesling and other Alsatian varietals. They are best known for sparkling wines which rival any from around the globe. Public tours are at 1 & 3 pm and are free. Tastings are $7.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Hours from 10:00-5:00
101 Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-2707
Located on Narragansett Bay, 25 minutes east of Providence and 60 minutes south of Boston, Blithewold is one of the finest garden estates in New England. Your exploration of Blithewold will take place during 'Daffodil Days' http://www.blithewold.org/events-specialevents.htm Also taking place on this day is the Antique Flowerpots Roadshow from 11:00-1:00. Please sign up in advance for this lecture which is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Admission to the grounds only is $10 for adults

New Bedford Whaling Museum
Hours from 9:00-5:00
8 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-0046
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the largest museum in America devoted to the history of the American whaling industry and its greatest port. Through exhibits, publications, and programs, the Museum brings to life the whaling era and the history of the local area. It houses the most extensive collection of art, artifacts, and manuscripts pertaining to American whaling in the age of sail - late eighteenth century to the early twentieth, when sailing ships dominated merchant trade and whaling. Admission $10 for adults, children $6. Parties of 10 or more can get a $1 ea. discount admission.

Other Happenings

Island Night at the Zeiterion Theatre
Hours from 6:30-8:30ish
684 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-5664
Calling all Islanders, Parrotheads and Beachbums! Bring yourself and your friends for a taste of summer! Wear your best Island attire! Come ready to party! Join us for a FUN raiser to benefit the Zeiterion! Tropical Tailgate Tent Party 6:30 to 8:30ish (hey, it's the islands, no one keeps time) then.. dance your way into 'Z' party with legendary Buffett band 'Changes in Latitude'! Email us your craziest Island photos and music to islandnight@zeiterion.org. Your photos will be part of the pre-show antics! Tickets are $75 which gets you into the Party-- great Island Jambalaya, 2 tropical drinks, a lei and 'latitudes of Buffett attitudes' --Experience Island Night 2008 and support the Z! Buy tickets at http://tickets.zeiterion.org/

Places to Eat

Marguerites
778 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-3040
Marguerites is a very small homey restaurant. All of the food is home cooked and their menu changes daily. They always have a few local seafood selections and keep the prices very reasonable. They also do take out which is ready very quickly. Call ahead to place your name on the wait list.

Starfish Bakery
670 Main Rd
Westport, MA 02790
508-636-3020
Panini sandwiches, Italian pastries, cookies and coffee. A local favorite.

Bittersweet Farm
438 Main Road
Westport,MA 02790
508-636-0085
Bittersweet Farm Restaurant & Tavern opened on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998. Located in Central Village, Westport, Bittersweet Farm has been receiving rave reviews for its fine cuisine. Situated on a 29-acre farm dating back to the 1920's, the restaurant provides an elegant country atmosphere and perfect setting for that special occasion celebration. Enjoy a romantic dinner for two in our cozy Fireside Tavern. Sit by the fireplace and choose from our lighter fare Tavern Menu or our Dining Room Menu.

 Create your own educational wiki!HelpPublic, not yet premium Privacy Policy RSS