It may be difficult to believe but springtime and a new growing season are just around the corner and a sure sign of that is the arrival of the various local garden shows and expos!
If you need a break from all of the snow and cold that is probably still lingering outside your door, then a trip to explore the exhibits, workshops, and lectures at your own nearby garden expo may be the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon.
2008 Mid-Atlantic Garden Show
Opening today is the Mid-Atlantic Garden Show in York PA at the Toyota Arena on the York Fairgrounds. This garden show runs from February 28 – March 2, 2008. Hours are 12 noon to 8 pm today, 10 am to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm when the show closes on Sunday.
Gardening workshops will offer the following topics and more:
- Hi Tech Flowers from South of the Border
- Honey Bees in the Garden
- Tree Care for the
- Bonsai, the Living Art
- The Way to a Clear Healthy Pond
- Bay Laurel Kitchen Wreath
- Great Plants For Your Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary
Also on hand this Saturday will be Rebecca Kolls of “Rebecca’s Garden” serving as the featured speaker and providing a lecture about organic gardening and a separate workshop on designing containers.
Jazzin It Up in Philadelphia
If you’re seeking a grander scale and want orchestras, brass bands, parades, and jazz as part of your gardening event then just head over to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and enjoy the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show taking place from March 2nd through the 9th.
This event is one of the leading gardening shows in the entire country and dates back to 1829. The theme of this year’s show is “Jazz It Up” and promises to add some excitement with the music and gardening styles from the “Big Easy,” New Orleans.
In addition to the entertainment there will be plenty of great gardening ideas of interest to the vegetable gardener including: composting, bee keeping, container gardening, mulching tips, tree care, and information on growing herbs. There’s also a full line-up of All-Star Culinary Demonstrations that I’m sure will provide new ideas for using those fresh herbs.
Interesting gardening presentations will include the following subjects:
- Cooking with Herbs in the Louisiana Kitchen
- Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
- Vegetables, Fruits and a Touch of Flowers
- Who Goes There; Bugs in Your Garden, Friend or Foe?
- Seed Starting for Great Vegetables
- Beauty and Bounty in a Cook’s Garden
- Incredible Edibles
2008 Pennsylvania Garden Expo
Special events include Family Night on Saturday evening, and the benefit auction which will be held on Sunday afternoon. The auction will benefit the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Horticulture Programs in Central PA.
Scheduled gardening lectures that caught my eye included:
- Spare the Spray: Let Bugs Do Your Garden Pest Control
- Bonsai: A New Look for an Old Tree
- Soft/Biorational Pest Control
- A Green Way to Solving Your Garden Problems
- Organic Lawn Care
- Edible Herbal Bonsai Miniature Landscape
- Trade Secrets to Eco-Friendly Water Gardening
As usual, Roger Swain of the “Victory Garden” and Horticulture magazine will share his humor and extensive gardening expertise to keep you both informed and entertained on a variety of gardening topics.
So even if you can’t get out into the garden yet there may be a gardening show in your area that will help pass the time until spring arrives in your particular growing region.
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