Leach ‘Garden Fair’ welcomes spring

Check this new event at Leach Botanical Garden. And, learn about their huge plant sale this weekend

Outside the Leach Botanical Garden’s Manor House in outer East Portland, their first Spring Garden Fair is underway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The chilly afternoon didn’t keep many folks from enjoying Leach Botanical Garden on March 16, as it hosted the first-ever Spring Garden Fair.

“We were brainstorming with our Garden Curator, Courtney Ventarick, about programming – and she suggested we present a springtime garden fair here,” explained Leach Garden Friends Education Coordinator JoAnn Vrilakas at the event.

Pleased with the response to the new fair are these organizers – Leach Garden Friends Volunteer Coordinator Annie Winn, Event Coordinator Jo Shintani, and Education Coordinator JoAnn Vrilakas.

Domini Pauley and Seth Pauley of Red Pig Garden Tools offer implements “crafted the old fashioned way, by hand.

“We put out the word, and several company and organization representatives agreed to come,” Vrilakas told East Portland News. “This fair is a way to help kick-start the gardening season – by having your tools sharpened, listening to lectures on planting and gardening, seeing a pruning demonstration and, yes, nature hikes for the kids.”

OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners Judy Spreadborough and Rhonda Frick-Wrigte chat with fairgoers Thom Corcoran and Katie Robinson.

The next big event on their calendar is the annual plant sale on Saturday, April 13, Vrilakas pointed out.

Leach Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale, Saturday, April 13
From 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., shop from among thousands of plants and starts.

Folks come from all over the greater Portland area to shop at the annual Spring Plant Sale. East Portland News archive image

You’ll find plants, both blooming and not, provided by local nurseries, plus many from the Leach Garden collection! Bring your pocketbook, get great plants, and help support the nonprofit Leach Garden Friends group.

It’s at Floyd Light Middle School, 10800 SE Washington Street, 97216. For more information, call 503-823-9503.

© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

 

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