“Grow Fort Myers” Plant Sale and Workshops at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 16, 2022) — On Saturday, April 9, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is hosting the annual “Grow Fort Myers” plant sale and gardening workshops event. Plants will be available for sale in the Garden Shoppe, as well as from select vendors. The event focuses on teaching residents sustainable gardening practices. In the workshops, participants will learn how to care for orchids and bromeliads, garden with containers, and how to create a habitat for butterflies and birds. Representatives from the Florida Gulf Coast University Food Forest, the Florida Native Plant Society, and the Lee County Master Gardeners will have information tables and will be available to answer questions.

“Conservation and collection of rain water is a key component of sustainable gardening practices,” said Debbie Hughes, Horticulture Director at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. “We’ll have rain barrels available for sale, and Marie Dyer, a local artist will demonstrate how to paint a rain barrel during the event.”

At 9 a.m., before the workshops start, researchers from the University of Florida and the American Orchid Society will present some rare native orchid species to the Estates. These orchids were once growing wild in the area and will be established at the Estates so that visitors and future generations can view and learn about them.

Workshop Schedule (ticket required):
9:30-10:30 a.m. – Orchids 101
10:45-11:45 a.m. – Container Gardening
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Bromeliads 101
1:45-2:45 p.m. – Butterfly Gardening

While a ticket is required for the workshops, there is no charge to visit the Garden Shoppe or plant vendors. The Garden Shoppe is stocked with many plants, including Florida friendly and native plants that thrive in Southwest Florida’s environment. Edibles, such as fruit trees, herbs and vegetables will also be available for sale. For anyone wishing to start a butterfly garden, a large assortment of both host and nectar plants are available. Organic soil amendments, such as worm castings, and a limited number of rain barrels will be available for purchase as well. In addition to the Garden Shoppe, several vendors will be on site with plants for sale. Some of the vendors that will be on site (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) include Deep South Nurseries, Judy’s Jungle, Osprey Enterprises, and Sunland Orchids.

Tickets to attend all four workshops are $25 for non-members or $20 for Edison Ford members and can be purchased online (does not include admission to the museum, lab or riverside of the property). Food and beverage vendors will have refreshments available for purchase, and there will be live music. Guests are encouraged to bring their own garden cart, as only a limited number will be available. To purchase tickets, visit www.edisonford.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally known winter home site of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. More than 220,000 visitors walk through the location each year from all around the globe. The organization has received many awards, including the National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The Edison Botanic Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. during the month of December for Holiday Nights.
We’re located at:
2350 McGregor Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901