Plus, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra auditions.
 
06.05.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE
Harlestons

Today’s Forecast

96º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:30 a.m. | Sunset 8:22 p.m.
 

🌱 Reap what you sow

Discover your green thumb at Sow Exotic
Rows of small plants in pots with soil sit on racks in a greenhouse. Pinned to a clothesline above them are pages with plant photos and growing information.
Sow Exotic is a Catapult alum — the biz even won a Launch Pitch grant for a new soil mixer in 2021. | Photo by LALtoday
Imagine bean pods that taste like vanilla ice cream, bright blue-hued bananas, and berries that taste like buttered popcorn. These may sound like creations in Willy Wonka’s factory, but you’ll find them growing right here in Polk County, just a few minutes from Lakeland. Welcome to Sow Exotic.

Sow Exotic is a plant nursery that specializes in 200+ varieties of fruiting trees, medicinal herbs, and edible plants. Owners Brittany Bandi and Jared Craig started the biz in 2016, selling plants online and shipping them straight to customers’ gardens. This spring, they opened their nursery for public shopping.

Jared Craig, wearing a gray t-shirt and hat, shows a propagation technique using aluminum foil wrapped around a tropical tree branch.

Join the next food forest tours on June 22 and July 23.

|

Photo by LALtoday

You’ll find the nursery at 6405 Thornhill Rd. in Winter Haven, as well as a food forest down the street that’s available for private tours + special events. The nursery’s greenhouses are packed with edible plants, plus the tools you need to help them thrive in your own backyard.

City Editor Connor here. I toured the food forest and nursery, and it was eye-opening to see what you can grow right from home. Craig showed me the techniques they were using to propagate plants, and Bandi let me try some of the fruits + herbs growing in the food forest. (Those berries really did taste like popcorn.)

A worker packages plants for shipping at Sow Exotic

Sow Exotic uses plantable pots and biodegradable shipping supplies for every order.

|

Photo by LALtoday

Back at the nursery, I got an inside look at the online order fulfillment process since it’s still a huge part of the business. I was impressed by the plastic-free packaging they used, even when shipping a citrus tree.

If you’re looking to grow your own green thumb, shop online or in person at the Sow Exotic nursery. It’s open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
 
Events
Wednesday, June 5
  • Family Game Night | Wednesday, June 5 | 5-8 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Bring your family-friendly games to the Rooftop Bar to play with others.
  • Beginner Roller Skate Class | Wednesday, June 5-Wednesday, July 24 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Barber Skate Shop, 717 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $25 | Roll into this eight-week class to learn roller skating maintenance and skills.
Thursday, June 6
  • Night Market | Thursday, June 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | Visit this monthly night market to shop local vendors while you pour your own drinks.
  • Trivia Thursdays | Thursday, June 6 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.
Friday, June 7
  • Swan City Piano Festival Presents Robert Fleitz | Friday, June 7 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | Free | Kick off the fourth annual festival with a concert by this Lakeland native + Juilliard graduate.
  • Swan City Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, June 7 | Times vary | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along with this comedy team’s family-friendly 7:30 p.m. show and 21+ 9:30 p.m. show.
Saturday, June 8
  • 29th Summer Sunrise Watermelon 5K | Saturday, June 8 | 7-9 a.m. | Lake Hollingsworth Park, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $25-$60 | Run the first race in this series to fund scholarships for Polk County graduates.
  • Fairy Festival | Saturday, June 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $0-$20 | Let your fantasy take flight at this day of fairy-themed activities — tickets include garden admission.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Opening
  • The Rose Dynasty Center is set to open this Sunday, June 9 at 1253 W. Memorial Blvd. Serving as Polk County’s first LGBTQ+ center, it will offer limited primary care through Pineapple Healthcare, mental health counseling, support groups, and community events. (The Ledger)
Closing
  • Almora Sweets will close next month, but not before unveiling some of its most creative flavor combinations yet. Head to 5040 Lunn Rd. by National Cheesecake Day (Tuesday, July 30) to say goodbye with a slice.
Arts
  • We’re not stringing you along — the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra is on the hunt for musicians who play the violin, viola, cello, bass, and trumpet. Send in your video audition by Sunday, June 30 to be considered.
Edu
  • The Florida Department of Education is seeking feedback from parents of students with Individual Educational Plans + Individual Family Service Plans. Take the anonymous survey to help inform PCPS’ programs and resources for Exceptional Student Education.
Biz
  • The search is on for the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce’s next President + CEO. The Chamber is looking all over the nation for someone to fill the role. Think you’ve got what it takes? Submit a resume by Monday, June 17.
Answered
  • Do you know when Lakeland’s record high temperature of 105° was recorded? We asked you to make your best guess in Monday’s newsletter, and only 18% correctly chose June 4, 1985. Here’s hoping we don’t beat it this year.
Shop
  • Swap ‘til you drop. Drop off gently used clothing items at Swan Brewing, then swap them with new ones at Blossom & Grove Studio (815 N. Florida Ave.) on Sunday, June 23. The $10 event will also include mocktails, permanent jewelry, and an Evelyn & Co. refill bar.
Try This
  • Pamper yourself properly with a luxe Head Spoils spa treatment, newly available in Lakeland exclusively at Skin Thermea. Bonus: We tried the spa for ourselves, and have a few tips to share about what to expect from the hour (or more) of pure bliss.*
Travel
Finance
  • You know a restaurant’s good if other chefs eat there, and you can trust a gym where athletes train. So, we’ll trust this rec: This card recommended by The Ascent has no annual fee and offers up to 5% cash back, a sign-up bonus, and 0% intro APR into 2025.*
 
Community

“There’s No Place Like Home”

Polk Pride is back: Here’s the 2025 event roundup
Add a heading - 2022-05-31T110809.624
There’s a lot to be proud of in Polk. | Photo via Polk Pride FL.
That’s the theme of this year’s Polk Pride events, happening throughout this month. Honor the LGBTQ+ community by joining these festivities happening around Swan City.

Polk Pride Night
Head to Joker Marchant Stadium this Friday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. to cheer on the Lakeland Flying Tigers as they face the Jupiter Hammerheads. Pro tip: Use code PRIDE for discounted tickets.

Polk Pride 2024: Pride in the Park
Polk Pride’s biggest event of the year takes place in Munn Park on Saturday, June 15. Drop in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet dozens of vendors and enjoy plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

Polk Pride 2024: Pride After Dark
After Pride in the Park, hit the dance floor at Rec Room from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The theme of this 21+ event is “Over the Rainbow,” and prizes will be given to the best-dressed guests. Tickets are $15-$20.
More events to enjoy
The Buy

The Buy 6.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The ultimate summer grill accessory: a wireless smart thermometer. Stick it in your food, cook as usual, and the thermometer will notify your smartphone when your meat has reached the ideal internal temp. Hello, perfectly cooked steaks…
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Have you checked out the new Bar Vasco on Nineteen61’s rooftop yet? I visited on opening night, and it’s safe to say I’ve found my new summer spot. Check out my menu recs.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY