Go Green at the 19th Orchard in Bloom

Candance Lasco

 

After the chill, the high winds, the ice, I can’t think of a better way to embrace spring than to spend a weekend at the annual Orchard in Bloom.  In addition to fragrant blooms and well known speakers, you will find gardening ideas, environmental tips, artists and activities for the entire family. This year a farmer’s market with vendors from Broad Ripple, Zionsville and Carmel will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Children’s Area, features entertainment and hands-on arts and crafts for youngsters. If you get hungry don’t forget palate tempting meals and snacks at the Aladdin Garden Café.

With an emphasis on going “green,” exhibits will feature organic, recycling and green lifestyle choices. From tickets to posters to napkins reuse, recycle, and reduce will be evident throughout the event. Check out tips on how to make your garden environmentally friendly. In preparation for the show, Orchard students also utilized the green them. Fourth-graders fashioned coasters, garden totes, kneeling pads and plant markers that incorporated a reused item while kindergarteners made a craft from recycled crayon pieces.

The speaker line up this year is exciting and varied. Sara Snow, the host of Get Fresh with Sara Snow and Living Fresh on the Discovery Health channel will lecture. Enhance your menu by attending her demonstration on cooking with fresh produce at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2.

Speaking on May 2 and 3rd is Joe Gardener, host of Fresh From the Garden on the DIY network and GardenSMART on PBS. An exciting leader in the field of gardening he has just published a new book entitled The Green Gardener's Guide.  Some of you may remember his 2007 release,   Over the Fence with joe gardener.    The syndicated newspaper columnist of The Gardener Within, is sure to have numerous tips to enhance your home garden.   Learn more about him at www.joegardener.com

Expect Orchard in Bloom favorites as well. No matter the size of your green space, you can find large and small-scale landscaping ideas. Stroll the innovative creations by local landscapers in the Garden Pavilions Landscape tents. Microgardens is likely to have imaginative scale garden choices that will fit in the smallest corner of your yard.  Rooms In Bloom will provide decorating concepts for patio and garden and FloralScapes will showcase floral designs inspired by Indianapolis Museum of Art paintings.  For home or outdoors, try the Gardener’s Market or fine arts’ tent  Making your landscape unique is easy if you pick up a piece in the garden sculpture area. 

The event would not be possible without volunteers and sponsors. Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Advanced Master Gardener and editor of Indiana Living Green, a new magazine devoted to living in harmony with the Environment is this year’s honorary chair. Sharp also is director of the Garden Writers Association and co-author of the Indiana Gardener’s Guide. Sponsored by the National Bank of Indianapolis, the annual event is the fund-raiser of the Parents’ Association of the Orchard School. Proceeds support Indy Parks, financial aid and innovative initiatives at The Orchard School.

In addition to the main event, a special preview party, Before the Bloom, will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. May 1, at Holliday Park. Sponsored by Barrington Jewels, admission is $45 and includes appetizers and pastries from 10 gourmet restaurants, fine wine, champagne and beer.   Plus there will be music, art and elegant shopping. Tickets for Before the Bloom are available at the Orchard School, 615 W. 64th St.

Orchard in Bloom event times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2-3 and noon to 5 p.m. May 4.  Admission is $10 in advance, $12 day of event, and discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Advance tickets are available at all central Indiana Marsh Supermarkets, all National Bank of Indianapolis branches, IMA Greenhouse, The Orchard School and Holliday Park.

Free parking and a shuttle service will be available at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., to take visitors to Holliday Park, 6349 Spring Mill Road.

For more information, call Ginger Bienvenour at (317) 257-6279 or

visit www.orchardinbloom.org <http://www.orchardinbloom.org/ as well as for  podcasts featuring green gardening tips.