Grow Fort Myers
“Grow Fort Myers” is a part of National Public Gardens Week at Edison Ford. Help us celebrate all week long with special events:
- May 15 and 17, 2019 at 10:30am: $10 discount on Garden Tours
- May 17, 2019 at 7:30pm: Free Family Movie Night in the Gardens
- Membership Special: Purchase or renew your Membership during this week and receive one month FREE– it’s a perfect time to become an Edison Ford Member!
And on May 18, join us for a special plant sale, free workshops, and more:
- The following events will take place on the Museum Porch unless noted otherwise:
- 9:00 AM: Debbie Hughes – Director of Horticulture, Edison Ford Winter Estates, “Welcome”!
- 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM: Stephen Brown, Lee County Extension Agent “Fertilizer – Is it really necessary?”
- 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM: Brady Vogt, Everglades Rare Books “History of Commercial Horticulture in Lee County”
- 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM: Green Leaf Worm Farm “The Lowdown on Worm (Castings) Poop”
- 11:15 AM – Noon: Rob Solomon – Edison Ford Winter Estates Rain Barrel Demonstration – To be held under the Pavilion.
- 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lisa Wilson – Edison Ford Winter Estates “Attracting Butterflies to your Garden”
- 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM: Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) of Lee County “Florida Friendly Gardening”
On-going Demonstrations and Vendor Tables in and around the Garden Shoppe:
- Marie Dyer – Painting a Rain Barrel (Under the Pavilion)
- MW Horticulture – Working with Compost
- Green Leaf Worm Farm – Worm Castings
- Everglades Fine Books – Garden Books for Sale
- Fred Rubino – Creating Hypertufa – Demonstration using Edison’s Portland Cement in a mixture to form lightweight, custom planters
- Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Lee County Master Gardeners “Ask the Expert” – Your gardening questions answered
- Garden Shoppe – Open 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM offering special discounts!
Sponsored in part by:
Full Moon Meditation – Alchemy of the Senses – A Self-Guided Sensory Meditation
Class will be held at the Edison Caretakers House.
Relax, breathe, release and enjoy this personal journey through sound vibration with singing bowls and drums. 
Modern medicine can now measure and confirm the practice of sound as a means to promote healing. Reduce your stress and experience a deep sense of peace.
The class is taught by Dolores J. Gozzi, a Licensed Massage/Alternative Therapist (MA37360). Bring something to lay on like a yoga mat or towel, water, and a small pillow. If you would like more information on Dolores and Vibration Meditation, you can visit her website at www.naturescycles.com.
Cost: Edison Ford Members: $20; non-members: $25, tickets can be purchased at the membership desk, the ticket counter or on our website.
Mondays With Marie
Renowned artist Marie Dyer will be on-site painting in the gardens every Monday through March. Stop in to observe her techniques as she paints landscape and botanical items at Edison Ford. No registration required; included with admission.
Yoga Along the River
Although Yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years, it has become increasingly popular during the past decade. Aside from the health benefits, it offers us a deeper connection to self-like and self-care, to nature and to the community. This one-hour yoga class allows you to step away from all the 21st century gadgets and focus on the moment. Yoga prepares the body, mind, and spirit for meditation; both yoga and meditation purify, 
resulting in feeling recharged and rejuvenated.
Class will be held in the Edison Ford river pavilion, overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. Skill level is beginner to intermediate. The class is taught by a certified yoga instructor from Gulfshore Yoga. Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel.
Cost: Edison Ford Members: $15; non-members: $20 per class (E-Tickets, Membership Desk or Ticket Counter). Admission to the site is not included.
Ask the Curator-Recognizing Edsel Ford
Ask the Curator talks take place every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., with a different topic each week. Upcoming presentations include:
- November 7 – Recognizing Edsel Ford: Come join Lead Site Historian Eric Kahler for an in-depth discussion on the life of Henry Ford’s only child.
- November 14 – Was Edison a Botanist? Join Senior Horticulturalist Debbie Hughes as she shares her knowledge about some of Edison’s most unique and interesting plants. (Garden Festival at the Edison Ford to be held Saturday & Sunday November 17-18.)
- November 21 – Gobble Gobble! Who’s Ready for Thanksgiving Dinner? Join Curatorial Registrar Matt Andres for a discussion about Edison’s famous turkey platter.
- November 28 – Want to Learn How to Start a Model T? Automotive Curator James Moss demonstrates how to start and drive a Model T Ford.
Programs are included with admission; free for Edison Ford members.
Landscape Painting with Artist Marie Dyer
Spend the day overlooking the water in the river pavilion while painting a beautiful landscape using acrylic paint!
Cost per class: members $90, future members $100.
Click here to register or contact lcriswell@edisonfordwinterestates.org for more information.
Silk Scarf Painting with Marie Dyer
A variety of techniques will inspire painters of all levels to create their own “one of a kind” scarf. The scarves can be worn or displayed as art at home. All materials are provided.
Cost: members $90, future members $100 per class.
Register here or contact lcriswell@edisonfordwinterestates.org for more information.
Garden Grandeur with Artist Marie Dyer
In this one-day impressionistic botanical still life painting workshop, students will create an effective still life acrylic painting based on botanicals from the Edison Ford gardens! Learn about observation, texture and form, mixing colors and basic design techniques. Students of all levels are welcome.
Cost per class: $90 for members, $100 for future members
Click here to register or contact lcriswell@edisonfordwinterestates.org for more information.
Hypertufa Edison Orb Classes
This class is sold out– check back for future offerings soon!
Create a one-of-a-kind living garden sculpture using Hypertufa, a mixture of Portland cement, peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and water!
Participants will sculpt two sizes of the original Edison orb (3″ and 5″ diameter), then attach tillandsia (air plants), small bromeliads, or orchids.
Retired art teacher Jim Hopton will instruct this two-part class in the Edison Ford greenhouse and demonstrate various uses of Hypertufa in the garden. This class is limited to ten participants and allows for a week in between sessions for drying time. You will need to bring rubber kitchen gloves – all other supplies are provided.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m. on December 8 and 15. Must attend both sessions to complete project.
Cost: $40 for members, $45 for future members.
