Mounts Botanical Garden to Host Seven Fun & Informative Public Events in October & November:
* Gourmet Food Truck Garden Party
* Fall Family Festival
* Workshops on Landscape Design & Orchid Care * Fall Plant Sale & Hibiscus Show
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 26, 2011) The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden today announced seven fun and informative public events in October and November 2011:
Designing, Creating & Maintaining Your Home Landscape
Saturdays, October 1, 8 & 15 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Exhibit Hall A
Members $50, Non-members $60
This three-session workshop will take participants through all the steps needed to improve a home landscape.
+ Session One (October 1) includes an evaluation of site conditions, how to avoid common landscape mistakes and a review of good design principles.
+ Session Two (October 8) will begin with a tour of Mounts Botanical Garden to see and discuss a large number of plants suitable for South Florida. Attendees will also learn about purchasing, planting and establishing the plants.
+ Session Three (October 15): Master Gardeners will work closely with participants to address individual landscape problem areas, evaluate ideas and discuss options. Tips and techniques to conserve water, reduce pesticide use and minimize maintenance will finish the program.
Registration deadline is September 28.
Orchid Care 101
Saturday, October 1 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mounts Auditorium
Members $30, Non-members $40
This workshop with instructors Tom Wells and Sandi Jones of Broward Orchid Supply, will explain what orchids need – water, light, fertilizer, temperature. Attendees are encouraged to bring an orchid (up to 6 inches) to be repotted or mounted. Several methods will be demonstrated such as potting and mounting on tree fern, cork bark or grapevine. Orchid supplies will be available for purchase.
Gourmet Food Truck Garden Party
Sunday, October 2 – Noon to 7 p.m.
In the Garden
$5 Suggested Donation – Food & Beverages Additional
The food truck frenzy is coming to Mounts. With authentic, innovative, gourmet cuisine rumbling into the Garden from all over South Florida, Mounts Botanical Garden will be packed with hungry mobile gourmands chomping at the bit to try the latest meals on wheels from many of the most popular gourmet food trucks in South Florida, including 4Alarm Pizza, Right on Q (BBQ), Curbside Gourmet, Cheese Steak Gourmet, Kona Ice, Latin Burger, PS561 (hot dogs), Stocked ‘N’ Loaded, plus innovative local cuisine from the Slow Food truck and more. Beer and wine will be available, plus live music. While many food truck expos are held in cement-covered parking lots, this delicious Gourmet Food Truck Garden Party will actually be held inside the gorgeous and plant-filled Mounts Botanical Garden, making it the perfect spot for a family picnic.
Fall Family Festival
Sunday, October 16 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In the Garden
Members & Children under 10 FREE, Non-members $3
Co-sponsored by the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, this annual family festival will feature games, hands-on activities, music, refreshments, and prizes for all. Popular activities include pony rides, face painting, seedling giveaways, bounce house, kiddie train rides and more. Eye-popping booths featuring ladybugs, butterflies, herbs and plants will be a fun & educational experience for children and adults alike. Children and adults are encouraged to come in Halloween costume. Some activities will be free, while others will have a nominal charge.
More Than a… Fall Plant Sale / Hibiscus Show & Sale
Saturday, November 5 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Members breakfast starts at 8 a.m.)
Sunday, November 6 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In the Garden
Members free; Non-members $10
This annual Fall Plant Sale features over 80 vendors with an amazing assortment of quality plants and goods. This is a great opportunity to learn about the plants that grow well in South Florida and find something new for the garden. The American Hibiscus Sunrise-Conrad Chapter will be having their annual hibiscus show featuring many of the state’s best blooms. Hibiscus plants will be available for purchase at their booth. The PBC Woodturners will be selling a large selection of beautiful woodturnings. Palms, orchids, bamboo, begonias, bromeliads, fruit trees, and many other types of plants will be for sale.
About Mounts Botanical Garden:
Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden. Mounts displays tropical and subtropical plants from around the world, including plants native to Florida, exotic trees, tropical fruit, herbs, citrus, palms and more. As a component of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, and through its affiliation with the University of Florida IFAS, Mounts is the place to connect with Extension Horticulturists, Master Gardeners, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, and professional horticultural advisors. Mounts also offers a variety of horticultural classes, and garden-related events and workshops.
Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the Garden is $5 per person. For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.
Available for Interview:
Allen Sistrunk, Garden Director
561.233.1757
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298