Indiana Flower + Patio Show - Celebrities & Speakers

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Gardening 101

March 21-23

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Gardening 101

JOEL KARSTEN, a farm boy who grew up tending a soil garden like other gardeners have for centuries, shook up the gardening world with his first book describing his breakthrough Straw Bale Gardening concept. The New York Times called Straw Bale Gardening “a revolutionary gardening method” and his ideas have been enthusiastically embraced globally, making his books best-sellers in many languages. Karsten earned a BS in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota and spends his summers tending his vegetable garden, doing research, and experimenting with new ideas and methods he can pass along to his followers. He is a popular speaker, making appearances around the world at events celebrating innovation, garden enthusiasts and healthful lifestyles. He is renowned for his social media presence, blog and on-line impressions. Karsten has inspired tens of thousands of first-time gardeners and a legion of “seasoned” growers who found a new and better way to pursue their passion. He has inspired many “retired” gardeners to begin gardening again once they learn how his method eliminates the physical challenges found in traditional soil gardening. Discover more information about Karsten and his revolutionary methods at www.StrawBaleGardens.com. Links to his Facebook page, WordPress blog, YouTube Channel, Twitter and His TEDx talk can all be found on his website.

Straw Bale Solutions – A mere ten years ago, almost no one had heard of growing vegetables in straw bales. Today, Joel Karsten’s STRAW BALE GARDENS® technique has been adopted by gardeners all over the planet, and is arguably the fastest growing new method being used by vegetable gardeners since man started cultivating crops 10,000 years ago. The question is WHY? Karsten will explain the advantages of his method, and explain why it has become popular so quickly. While many gardeners here in our country are constantly looking for a better, easier, faster and more economical way to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, in many less fortunate countries around the world, growing food is essential to survival, not simply a hobby. In his most recent book Joel profiles gardeners from around the USA and five other continents, who have implemented a Straw Bale Garden. In his popular TEDx talk titled “Let’s use the Straw Bale Gardens method to help end world hunger”, Karsten explains how many are now using the technique to overcome various problems that had kept them from growing successful vegetable gardens using traditional methods. For the first time, many of these poor and hungry populations have become Straw Bale Gardeners and are now able to grow food. This early success is changing the outlook for solving world hunger and eliminating urban food insecurity around the world.

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

March 15 & March 23

Top 10 of New Plants-10 new annuals, 10 new perennials, 10 new shrubs for the home gardener w/growing tips.Top 10 of NEW Plants

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is the Hoosier Gardener. She’s an award-winning veteran of print journalism, including newspapers and magazines. Owner of Write for You, a freelance writing and editing business, she writes for magazine, blogs and newsletters. She was president of GardenComm, Garden Communicators International (gardencomm.org). She plants about 50 containers for commercial and resident clients, changing them out seasonally. She worked for about 20 years at a large, independent garden center, including a stint as buyer of trees, shrubs and perennials. A popular speaker, she regularly attends trade shows and conferences to stay up to date with the latest plant introductions and other gardening trends and to share them with her audiences. Sign up for her free, monthly, award-winning Hoosier Gardener newsletter.

Todd Jameson Balanced Harvest Flower Farm

March 15, 19, 21, 22

Bill Brown Landscape Architect

March 16-18

Pruning Shrubs 101

Bill Brown Landscape Architect

Having gotten his start in the Home & Garden scene in 1978, Bill has been active in the local landscape market. As acting Landscape Coordinator for both the Indianapolis Home Show and the Indiana Flower & Patio Show, he is instrumental in organizing and working with a majority of landscape design and build companies in the Indianapolis area. As owner of his own company, Wm H. Brown Landscape Inc., having the knowledge of the industry is very advantageous to the production of a landscape feature. Overseeing all aspects of the design and creation of the feature gardens is Bill's main emphasis.

Rachel Walker Central Indiana Orchid Society

March 15-16

So you bought an orchid. Now what? An introduction to keeping orchids in the home.

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

March 19 12:00 & 4:00

Insights and tips on indoor succulents and the transformative power of gardening

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

Abby Perry, founder of Abby's Garden Parties, combines her Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Michigan with her expertise as a Master Gardener, specializing in indoor houseplant and succulents. She is passionate about the therapeutic and creative benefits of gardening for mental health. Through Abby's Garden Parties, she offers workshops on house plant care and terrarium building at her retail store in Zionsville, Indiana, helping people nurture their creativity and well-being. Join Abby at the Flower and Patio Show for expert tips on indoor plants and the transformative power of gardening.

Michelle Soupley AIFD, CFD, Design Manager

March 16 1:30

Kymbra Tucker

March 17 12:00

Floral Flare: Crafting Wearable Art

Kymbra Tucker

Kymbra Tucker CF is a passionate and talented floral designer with a proven track record. Having spent five years at Banner Flower House, she began her journey in a front-desk role but quickly discovered a deep-rooted passion for floral design. In 2024, she achieved getting her certification for Certified Florist (CF) and was also honored with the Young Person of the Year award. As an active member of the CF Committee, she is dedicated to sharing floral knowledge and raising awareness about the industry. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is also known for her entertaining TikTok videos, bringing a fun and engaging side to the world of floral design.

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

March 21 12:00 & 3:00

Digging Into Soil Health with Soil Testing

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

Karen Mitchell serves as the Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Her lifelong passion for plants inspired her to earn degrees in Horticulture and Botany, both from Purdue University. Karen began her career as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator in Tippecanoe County - Extension, where she supported local horticulture initiatives. Now based on Purdue's campus, she leads statewide Extension programming, focusing on community gardens and home horticulture, helping gardeners across Indiana cultivate thriving and sustainable landscapes.

Discover the role of soil testing in building and maintaining healthy soils for your landscape. This session will explore soil testing methods, how to interpret test results, and how to apply practical recommendations to improve soil fertility, structure, and overall health. Whether you’re a novice gardener or an experienced grower, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help you cultivate healthier, more productive soils.

Kathryn Reeves Purdue Extension Master Gardener

March 20 12:00 & 4:00

Great Tips for Growing Vegetables in Containers Year Round

Kathryn Reeves Purdue Extension Master Gardener

Kathryn is a retired Purdue University Professor of Art and an award winning artist and photographer. She also taught in the College of Design at Iowa State University and worked as a garden designer with a landscape architect. Kathryn and co-presenter Mike Hathaway have done container garden demonstrations at Purdue’s annual Spring Fest. Together they grow flowers and vegetables indoors and outdoors year round.

Session Summary: Want to grow delicious vegetables, but have a small garden or no garden? Want to grow salads in winter? Discover easy tips to grow your own beautiful healthy vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in pots and containers. Learn the best varieties for container growing, fertilizer, potting mix and more.

Mike Hathaway Purdue Extension Master Gardener

March 20 12:00 & 4:00

Great Tips for Growing Vegetables in Containers Year Round

Mike Hathaway Purdue Extension Master Gardener

Mike is co-presenter with Kathryn Reeves. Mike retired as Assistant Director of Purdue University Galleries in 2020. He is an expert photographer and compost maker. Mike and Kathryn have done container garden demonstrations at Purdue’s annual Spring Fest. Together they grow flowers and vegetables indoors and outdoors year round.

2025 Speakers & Celebrities

Joel Karsten Straw Bale Gardening 101

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

Todd Jameson Balanced Harvest Flower Farm

Bill Brown Landscape Architect

Rachel Walker Central Indiana Orchid Society

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

Michelle Soupley AIFD, CFD, Design Manager

Kymbra Tucker

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

Kathryn Reeves Purdue Extension Master Gardener

Mike Hathaway Purdue Extension Master Gardener

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