Spring has sprung. The April showers are bringing May flowers and the start of the vegetable planting season. I’ve mentioned before that I have a black thumb. I got an e-mail from Burpee letting me know about an event taking place in my area on May 8 and 9. Has word of my notoriety with plants spread outside the New Jersey border?
I remember taking my own kids out to local farms several times. We had fun picking strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, broccoli, eggplant, squash, potatoes, yams, and more. AND the kids learned a lot in the process.
I recently received information about an upcoming vegetable garden festival at W. Atlee Burpee’s home, the historic Fordhook Farm, 105 New Britain Road, Doylestown, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). All the grounds will be open to the public.
Burpee was a pioneer in introducing vegetable greats like iceberg lettuce, yellow sweet corn, and the Fordhook lima bean to growers. Guests will be able to tour his estate’s 19th Century buildings registered on the National Registry of Historic Places. They will be able to see for themselves how people lived before the world entered into this age of technology. They will also be able to go through eight specialty gardens with 3,000+ different species of ornamental and edible garden produce on display. People just don’t realize that every garden begins with seeds.
Here’s the specifics of the event.
Root Camp Workshop — Our vegetable garden workshop is going to be very unique. Because the name of the event is Root Camp, we are going to conduct the vegetable garden workshops in a “boot camp” style format. The workshop will be directed by our horticulturalists, but it will include direction from a Garden Drill Sergeant. The man serving as the drill sergeant is retired from the Army and will be dressed in his old uniform. All of the participants will be given camouflage hats. We think this will help to bring the theme full circle and we think it will make the workshop more fun for participants. Anyone visiting the farm that day can sign up upon arrival.
Lectures — Graham Rice will give a lecture at 11 am on Friday and Saturday. The topic is Plants for Small Spaces. Rosalind Creasy will give a lecture on Edible Theme Gardens at 1:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Book Signing — Rosalind will conduct a book signing on Friday and Saturday immediately following her lecture. We will have a few of her books for sale for folks to have autographed. These titles include: The Edible Herb Garden, The Edible Flower Garden, Blue Potatoes - Orange Tomatoes - How to Grow a Rainbow.
Garden Sale — We will have a variety of seeds, plants and planters on sale in a garden shop area during the event. These will include ornamentals and of course edibles.
Guided Tours — Burpee horticulturalists will offer guided garden tours on both Friday and Saturday. During the tours, the horticulturalists will point out some of the more than 3,000 species growing in Fordhook trial and display gardens.
Gifts to Mother’s — Since our event falls on Mother’s Day weekend, free planters will be given out to all mothers who attend.
General Information for the Public: Event details, online registration for the lecture series and directions to Fordhook Farm (located at 105 New Britain Rd, Doylestown, PA) are available online at www.burpee.com and www.heronswood.com. There will be a $5 admission fee for the event, and a portion of the fee will be donated to The Garden Conservancy (www.gardenconservancy.org). Food and beverages can be purchased on-site.
Pre-Registration for the Lecture: For more information or to pre-register for the lecture, folks can log on to http://www.burpee.com/contentarticle.do?itemID=100125
This is the opportunity for a great day out for the garden hobbyist or for the family. If you can’t make it to this event, perhaps you’d be interested in visiting on one of the other open days at Fordhook Farm this year.
Other 2009 Fordhook Farm Open Days
Midsummer Garden Party
Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11
10 am to 4 pm
The Midsummer Garden Party event will offer visitors a sneak peak at Fordhook Farm and its gardens during the peak blooming season for most shrubs, perennials and annuals. Hydrangeas will be the focus of the event during guided garden tours and during a lecture given by internationally acclaimed plant researcher Dr. Mike Dirr.
Burpee’s Harvest Festival
Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
10 am to 4 pm
Visitors who attend Burpee’s Harvest Festival will have a chance to experience Fordhook’s gardens with all five senses. The event will include a tomato tasting, lecture, guided tours and a sneak peak at 2010 Burpee varieties. Gardener and cook book author Laura Schenone will be the featured speaker.
Autumn Garden Tour
Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26
10 am to 4 pm
Those attending The Autumn Garden Tour will enjoy “summer’s second number” with a first-ever look at Fordhook Farm’s gardens during the fall season. The autumn-themed event will include guided tours, a fall bulb/plant sale, a fall garden workshop and lectures. The featured speakers for this event are Bill Miller and Jerry Fritz.
If you’re interested in growing plants and vegetables and live in the area or will be traveling through it be sure to add these to your schedule.
WIN IT!
Burpee has graciously offered to send six Burpee seed packets to each of the two winners of this giveaway.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave me a comment telling me if what vegetable you grow, have tried to grow or would like to grow.
BONUS ENTRIES
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Stumble this giveaway AND leave your Stumble name here.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Friday 05/08/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
on May 2nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Right now I am growing all types of veggies but the one I enjoy the most is tomatoes. I have a few plants of heirloom tomatoes am excited to see them grow big and strong and yield a lot of fruit.
on May 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I subscribe
on May 2nd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
faved you on technorati: carogonza
on May 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 am
[...] Here and There Six Burpee Seed Packets - 2 winners (5/6 US Only) [...]
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Dear Carolyn,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 am
I would love to win seeds. I want to plant tomatoes. Store bought tomatoes just don’t taste like home grown garden tomatoes. The heirloom varieties and regular ones and cherry tomatoes all sound so good. Blessings.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Dear Carolyn,
Good luck.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 am
subscribe to your feed
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
follow you on Twitter and tweeted id keepsakebaby
keepsakebabyhttp://tinyurl.com/c8s92s
less than 5 seconds ago from web
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
fav on technorati
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 am
Dear Carolyn,
The first year I tried tomatoes they went well. The second they never quite made it. My switch to huge pots for the vine variety next failed.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:39 am
Dear Stephanie,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:39 am
Dear Stephanie,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Dear Stephanie,
Good luck.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
Dear Stephanie,
Good luck.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 am
Dear Stephanie,
I’ll be visiting you there.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
Dear Stephanie,
There used to be nothing like a Jersey tomato. Alas, even it changed. I still go to the u-pick though for them each summer.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
I love tomatoes and would love to be able to grow my own.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
I am a subscriber.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Tamara,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Tamara,
Check out tomato prices then go for it. Well worth the try.
Pat.
on May 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I think pumpkins are veggies?
If so, that’s my pick,
To grow them would be magic,
To delight and to trick…
Carve a name with a pencil
When the pumpkin’s quite small…
Tell your children you’ve grown
“Personalized squash” for them all!
on May 4th, 2009 at 10:03 am
[...] here and there-burpee seeds/5/8/09 [...]
on May 4th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Dear Elsie,
Pumpkins get their name from melon and are in the squash family. I love homemade pumpkin pie but my one attempt was so bad I swore, “Never again.”
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I am currently growing several varieties of peppers in pots on the front porch. Next year we are planning on having a large garden in the backyard, and I am looking forward to growing okra.
on May 4th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
We grow tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. I’d like to grow pumpkins because I love carving them at halloween
on May 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I have tried to grown string bans but they don’t do well, but our tomatoes are fab! I want to grow corn!
on May 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/1699739688 and follow on Twitter cdziuba
on May 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Button ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com
on May 4th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Technorati fave cdziuba
on May 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
subscriber
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Dwar Carol,
Glad you stopped by.
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Dwar Carol,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Dwar Carol,
Giid luck.
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Dwar Carol,
String beans are a challenge. I remember going to the farm and pocking and picking with two youong boys and a husband only to collect les than enough for one dinner veggie.
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Dwar Dreamer,
Lucky yoou. I try but I grow weeds.
Pat.
on May 4th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Dwar Lisa,
I still marvel at the taste of fresh grown produce and ouor state’s is the bst.
Pat.
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:04 am
i love home grown sugar snap peas mmmmmmmmmm
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:06 am
stumble
valerie2350
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:06 am
technorati
valerie2350
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:06 am
subscribe
on May 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I currently grow tomatoes and peppers, but I hope to grow all kinds of stuff once my raised bed is finished– cukes, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, squash, etc. But we can’t grow much in the heat of the summer. So I’m not sure if I’ll get to do any real gardening for a few months. I’m thinking about building a little shade for the raised bed, to ease the heat of the day.
on May 5th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
i want to grow tomatos, peppers and cukes!
on May 5th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I would like to plant spaghetti squash. I forget to buy seeds for this last year, and I’m not sure my husband has forgiven me yet.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:12 am
We grow tomatoes every year because they are very easy to grow and don’t take up a lot of space on our extremely small lot. Plus I love tomatoes and eat them almost every day so they are ver practical.
We also have a couple of small fig trees that I planted years ago and that need very little attention to keep them producing a more than ample crop each year. (Do trees count as gardening?)
I would love to have a big garden with all the veggies that I remember so fondly from my childhood, beans, peas, radishes, cucumbers, squash, corn,… But I would need a bigger place to garden for all of that.
on May 6th, 2009 at 10:07 am
We grow cucumbers, radishes, carrots, and lots of tomatoes. We even started 2 topsy-turvy upside down tomatoes this season.
on May 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I subscribed by email
on May 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Following on twitter (drala625)
on May 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Added your button http://one2try.blogspot.com/
on May 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I have grow tomatoes, green peppers, carrots and cucumbers from seeds.
My favorite to grow are tomatoes. The taste is oh so delicious.
Samantharae
on May 6th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
We grow tomatoes, green beans, crook neck squash, bell peppers, straight neck squash, cucumbers and banana peppers=)
Thanks for the chance to win some goodies! Good luck everyone=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
on May 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Dear Rita,
Thank you.
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Dear Rita,
I would love to see them and how they grow,
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I would like to try and grow tomatoes.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Fave this blog at Technorati - Naddez.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Subscribed to RSS feed-dykstraq@sbcglobal.net
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Added your button to my sidebar @ http://naddezsgoodycorner.blogspot.com/
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Dear Celia,
To me if it grows then it’s gardening.
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Dear Renee,
I bought one once but never made it. I understand that it is healthy and diet friendly.
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Naddez,
A big thanks.
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Naddez,
Liked your info on siziing.
Pat.
on May 6th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Naddez,
Great.
Pat.
on May 7th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I’m a master at growing herbs, corn and beans! We’re attempting spinach and squash this year.
bebemiqui82(at)Yahoo(dot)com
on May 7th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I need seeds……..I do alot of gardening.
God bless!
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Dear Tim,
The cycle of life is truly a miracle. Enjoy.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Dear Bebemiqui,
I tried a herb garden once. No surprise to me–it never grew. I now get all my seasonings from the store.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:50 am
We love to grow tomatoes, cilantro and mint.
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I subscribe and grab ur button.
on May 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
my twitter name @myproductreview
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Dear Rajee,
Good luck.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Dear Rajee,
Thanks.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Dear Rajee,
The cilantro and mint sound like warm weather southern crops.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I am currently trying to grow tomatoes. We will see how it goes!!
on May 8th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Dear Tiffani,
My first crop of tomatoes were a big success. Hope your succeed.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I enjoy growing tomatoes the most.
on May 8th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
tomatoe, tomatos, tomatos. Also peas, green beans, squash, carrots, lettuce, chard and collards. But if I could only grow one thing it would be tomatos.
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Dear Lisa,
Tomato sandwiches, tomato salad, fried tomatoes, three favorites.
Pat.
on May 8th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Dear Carol,
I picked my first tomato at about seven. I liked them but not the peppers though.
Pat.