“In the Yard” column for Oct. 5, 2012
In the Yard
Hilltop Arboretum nursery volunteers play a big part in the 29th annual Hilltop PlantFest from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Janet Forbes heads the nursery volunteers whose work generates $35,000 a year in plant sales.
When the weather cooperates, PlantFest at the arboretum, 11855 Highland Road, marks the beginning of fall for Baton Rouge gardeners.
Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Plant purchases are exempt from city and state taxes for this fundraiser. Current Friends of Hilltop members receive a 10 percent discount.
This year’s 5,000 plants include trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, fruits, gingers, camellias, ornamental grasses, native plants and herbs.
Look for “Passalong Recipes from the Podge,” a cookbook published by the arboretum’s nursery volunteers who call themselves The Hodge Podge.
This eclectic collection of recipes, quotes, garden tips, stories and pictures captures the spirit of the nursery volunteers.
The cookbook sells for $18.35 plus tax.
The nonprofit fundraiser tax exemption applies just to plants.
Visitors to PlantFest are asked not to park on Highland Road or in the arboretum parking lot, where vendors are set up. Park in Oak Hills and Briarcliff subdivisions.
For a guide to parking, visit http://www.lsu.edu/hilltop.
Ed Cullen
Advocate staff writer