Dream time for gardens

Thu., Feb. 2, 2006

Pat Munts Correspondent

Let’s face it folks, even if the currently warmer-than-usual winter has you thinking spring and garden, it’s too early to do much more than pull shot weeds right now. However, it is time to check out all the new trends and ideas so you can begin planning your garden for the year. It’s time to head for the 18th Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle, the third-largest spring garden show in North America.

At the heart of the show are the 24 full-size display gardens that offer a sneak peak at some of this year’s hot trends in gardening. Designed by some of the region’s best landscape and nursery professionals, they are full of ideas and inspiration anyone can take home and try in their own garden.

The theme of this year’s gardens focuses on ecologically sound and sustainable gardening practices, gardening in small spaces and using the garden as an outdoor living room.

Many of the gardens will feature recycled materials used to build garden elements, native and low maintenance plants, and lots of ways to make gardens blossom in small and unusual spaces.

Sunset Magazine’s popular seminar series will have speakers from all over the region and the world. In about an hour you can learn from the experts about garden design techniques, new and useful plants, gardening in smaller spaces and environmentally sound garden practices. Plan ahead for these as they are very popular and lines can be long to get the free tickets.

There are several new features at the show this year including Sproutopia: A Place for Kids. There will be lots of hands-on demonstrations to get kids interested in gardens, performances by the Seattle Children’s Theater and presentations on bugs, bats, worms and more.

The New Destinations Living Exhibit will showcase garden and interior designs for that perfect second home or weekend retreat.

And Master Gardeners from all over the state will give out free advice on anything related to gardening.

More than 300 vendors from all over the region, including some from the Inland Northwest, will be offering anything and everything garden: plants, art, tools, furniture, pots, clothing and even jewelry. Bring a notebook to write down ideas as you wander around, or just take the truck and bring home your one-of-a-kind find.

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show will be from Wednesday through Sunday Feb. 12 at the Washington State Convention Center, Seventh Avenue and Pike Street in downtown Seattle. Visit: www.gardenshow.com, for details on ticket prices, seminars, parking alternatives, shuttles to beat the traffic and hotel rooms.

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