Back Page: Tropical escape

As part of Costa Farm’s trial garden, plants not only grow in trial rows but also in real-life scenarios to see how they react to the sun, shade and other plants around them.

TPIE was a whirlwind trip. I flew into Fort Lauderdale a day early so I could catch the TPIE road show Tuesday morning. We headed south of Miami and visited Farm Life Nursery and Bernecker’s Nursery before taking in lunch at Schnebly Redlands Winery. Then we got back on the road and visited Kerry’s and wrapped up with a stop at Burr’s Berry Farm. It was a long day, but the 80 or so of us that hit the road enjoyed seeing some of the great products Florida’s growers have to offer. TPIE continued Wednesday with the short course, where we were able to take in great lectures on the future of the market, building your team, social media, having world class customer service and biomimicry. Then on Thursday, I hit the trade show floor meeting people in the industry and seeing all that’s going on. I wrapped up my TPIE experience with a drive down to Costa Farms on Friday. There, I met with Costa’s director of research and development and toured their trial gardens.

— Kristy J. O’Hara

While it’s still a month away, we’re gearing up for our big California Spring Trials road trip. We hope to catch you along the route.