A friend invited me to Boca Raton Florida for the winter. I can't picture myself as a "Boca Babe".

My friend likes Bloomingdales and Sachs. I like the farmers market and hunting for treasures at estate sales and thrift stores. She makes wreaths and arrangements from fake flowers, I grow the real thing.

Any suggestions of gardening groups, farmers markets, public gardens, etc. around Boca? Maybe orchid people. I haven't been able to keep orchids alive...

There used to be a farmers market on US 1 there (federal hwy). And you will do fine, the boca babe thing is all in their heads. You will find lots to do in the area down there. Enjoy. If your staying with someone for the winter, wow, thats going to be what would challenge me. OOOO lots of orchids

There are lots of fun places for a gardener to enjoy. This is the best time of year to tour the botanical gardens, and go to things like the Tamiami Orchid Festival. Will you be there in January? http://www.tamiamiorchidfestiv... Something you both might enjoy, gorgeous antiques, and lovely gardens as well at Vizcaya http://vizcaya.org/ The Redlands Fruit and Spice park is a really neat botanical garden, too http://redlandfruitandspice.co...

When friends from up north visit us, the ones who garden all enjoy visiting any old nursery, even the ones at Home Depot and Lowe's. Lots of nice flowers and beautiful scents even if you can't buy anything to bring home. (they have orchids for sale just about everywhere here, too.)

Maybe you will succeed in sparking an interest in your friend to grow real flowers. I mean, it's Florida, everything grows here all year 'round. (except when we get an unseasonably cold few days of weather, coming this week, it seems) Don't let the cold snap worry you, though. It warms right back up again after just a few cold nights. The weather this time of year is THE reason we all moved to Florida.

Don't forget Fairchild, it is worth the trip. I think Viscaya took a direct hit from hurricane Matthew, not sure if it has opened again yet. There is a list of outstanding Florida gardens at the tops of this forum.

I arrived! Loving the blooming hibiscus and beautiful weather.

It is a great week weather wise, hope it holds before getting too hot.

I am sitting outside in a sundress drinking coffee. PA has a wintery mix of rain, sleet, slush. Escaped just in time!

Lucky you, Andi!

Welcome Andi

Thank you!