VERO BEACH — Always wanted to add fresh herbs to your dinners but didn’t know how? The thought of killing your orchids and bromeliads scare you? Come to the free 9th Annual Gardenfest! Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Park for expert advice on how to rejuvenate your garden in paradise.
A full range of garden experts will be on hand to answer questions on the next best step to reviving your garden with numerous free seminars on topics ranging from container gardens and orchids to caladiums and sustainable gardening.
The “Ask the Experts” schedule is as follows: Saturday, Feb. 6
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Herbs and Container Gardening by Anne Pidgeon, owner of Colorfield Farms
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Living Arrangements with Orchids and Bromeliads by Alexis Smith, owner of Tropical Isles Orchids
1 to 2 p.m. – Right Plant, Right Place by Brett Hall, Orchid Island Botanicals
2:45 to 3:45 p.m. – Caladiums by Carolyn Phypers, Happiness Farms
Sunday, Feb. 7
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Orchids are Easy by Jeff Adkins, owner of Adkins Orchids
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Unique Tropicals in the Landscaping by Alasdair MacLeod, Landscaping
1 to 2 p.m. – Crotons by Mark Peters, Peters Croton Nursery
2:45 to 3:45 p.m. – Sustainable Gardening by Ginny Stibolt, author, Master’s Degree in Botany
More than 70 vendors will be displaying a wide variety of yard and garden products with an emphasis upon live plants and eco-friendly gardening practices. Plants for sale include palms, ferns, orchids, and roses complemented with garden accessories such as pottery, fountains, furniture and lighting.
There will be a free youth activities program each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a food court for hungry shoppers. Experts will be available at the “Ask the Expert” booth to answer gardening questions.
Gardenfest! is a two-day event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7. Admission is free. The event is presented by the Garden Club of Indian River County.
Proceeds support civic projects dedicated to educating the public and beautifying the area with practices that conserve and protect natural resources. Recent projects include landscaping the local Red Cross headquarters building, supporting the Gifford Youth Activity Garden, and awarding scholarships to Indian River County students at the University of Florida, Ft. Pierce campus.
Information: Call (772) 567-4602 or www.gardenclubofirc.org.
