Getting ideas for spring and summer’s gardening from international experts, plus checking out one of the top gourmet supermarkets are the reasons for the upcoming Ironton In Bloom trip to Cincinnati in April.

“This is a fundraising trip for Ironton In Bloom where we are going to put the fun back into fundraising,” Steve Call, IIB member and trip organizer, said.

The morning will be spent touring the Cincinnati Flower Show downtown on the Ohio River that is endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society.

“It is fairly prestigiously credentialed,” Call said. “We will spend three or four hours there. It will be a good chance to see the show gardens and landscaping and get ideas for our yards.”

The show features multiple gardens including those in the horticultural pavilions, examples of flowers teamed with dramatic table settings and the artist’s studio where nature and art meet.

Also at the show is the fine food show with a variety of international items available for sampling including soups, spices and sweets.

Then in the afternoon the tour will go to Jungle Jim’s international market.

“This is a destination grocery store,” Call said. “You name it, they probably have it. There are 150,000 products. Hundreds of hot sauces, rice, a produce section, fresh meats, bakery, wines, cheeses, craft beer. It’s incredible.”

Lunch will be at the flower show or Jungle Jim’s depending on a person’s preference.

“There will be dining opportunities for folks to do it on their own,” he said. “There will be tasting opportunities at Jungle Jim’s. You can get a deli sandwich and taste some wine. Every time I have been there I have enjoyed myself to see the various things they have.”

The trip is slated for Saturday, April 16, with a 55-passenger motor coach leaving Ohio University Southern at 7 a.m., returning by 7 or 8 p.m. that night.

Cost for one person is $90. If two go together, it is $80 a person.

For registration forms contact Call at 740-550-9540 or via email at scall@callstravel.com or any member of IIB.

Registration deadline is March 18.