Flower show tix available; tomatoes are up

Fans of Deering Oaks and the duck pond are in for a real treat at this year’s Portland Flower Show, to be held March 9-12 at the Portland Company on Fore Street. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department have collaborated with Friends of the Parks to put together an exhibit featuring the 1987 duck house, which was removed from the pond in the 1990’s. The duck house, which was auctioned off to Smiling Hill Farm for $1, has been donated back to the city by Smiling Hill owner Roger Knight, and will be back in the Oaks this year. The duck house will be the center of a floor exhibit including flowers, grass, and educational displays about the Oaks.

Show ticket prices this year range from $9 (senior advance purchase) and $10 (adult advance purchase) to $12 at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. For more information,

"The Soul of Gardening," 2006 Portland Flower Show

I planted dozens and dozens of flower, vegetable and herb seeds indoors over the last two weeks, and the

Early Cascade tomato seedlings

were the first to emerge. The gardening season has begun.