Speakers & Celebrities

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March 14-22, 2026

Indiana State Fairgrounds West Pavilion & Expo Hall

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Jenn Nawada Landscape Contractor for This Old House 

March 20 5:00 & March 21 12:00

Jenn Nawada Landscape Contractor for This Old House 

As the Landscape Contractor for This Old House and Ask This Old House, Jenn Nawada shares creative, practical landscaping solutions with viewers across the country – helping them make their outdoor spaces more beautiful, functional, and sustainable.

Jenn has worked in the landscape design and construction field since 2001 and founded Nawada Landscape Design, Inc. seventeen years ago. Specializing in residential projects, she designs and installs landscapes that are sophisticated, stylish, and environmentally responsible. Her work helps clients discover the full potential of their properties, fostering stronger healthier connections between people and the natural world. Collaborating with some of Boston’s top professional tradespeople, Jenn manages and executes both large and midsize landscape projects from concept to completion.

Jenn first joined This Old House in 2010 as the Landscape Designer for the Auburndale project, where she worked alongside Roger Cook to transform the front yard into a welcoming garden. She became a regular on Ask This Old House in 2015 and was named the official Landscape Contractor for This Old House in January 2020.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies from Rollins College in Florida and a Master of Arts in Landscape Design and Land Use Planning from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Massachusetts. Jenn has been a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist since 2004. Before launching her own business, she was the lead designer at a Boston landscape firm, worked 4 years at the historic Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton, and taught Environmental Education at Shelburne Farms in Vermont.

Jenn lives in the Boston area with her husband and two sons in an early 1900s home she continues to restore and reimagine – one project at a time.

Follow Jenn on Facebook @Jenn Nawada, Twitter @JNawadaTOH, Instagram @JNawadaTOH

JO ELLEN MEYERS SHARP Hoosier Gardener

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

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

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

Abby Perry Abby's Garden Parties

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

Kymbra Tucker

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 Morgason Balanced Harvest Farm

Wedding Flowers & Bridal Bouquets

Karen Mitchell Purdue University

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

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

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.

2026 Speakers & Celebrities