Just about this time of year every year, veteran home gardeners
begin to get the itch to really start digging in their gardens. And
even though it’s a little early yet to really get your springtime
garden going full-bore, you can at least get your fill of beautiful
gardens at the 18th annual San Francisco Flower and Garden
Show.
Just about this time of year every year, veteran home gardeners begin to get the itch to really start digging in their gardens. And even though it’s a little early yet to really get your springtime garden going full-bore, you can at least get your fill of beautiful gardens at the 18th annual San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. The show, the second largest of it’s kind on the West Coast, runs next week from March 19 to 23 at the Cow Palace.
Discounted tickets are available in advance from Goldsmith Seeds, 2280 Hecker Pass Highway, in Gilroy. You’ll save $3 by buying tickets early ($17 instead of $20). Advance tickets are available from Goldsmith Seeds during regular weekday work hours. Also, you may get into the show for just $13 after 3 p.m. The show’s hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days except for March 23 when the show closes at 6:30 p.m.
And judging by experience, you may want to come late and stay late. The show is especially crowded during the day and even more so on the weekend. However, I’ve found the crowds particularly light around dinner time. The fact the show remains open until 8 p.m. offers some great viewing time without the crowds late in the day. Note: One drawback about coming late is that the free garden seminars end by 6:30 or 7 p.m.
The most crowded area always is the full-size garden displays. This year there are 23 of them inside the cavernous showroom floor of the Cow Palace. One of them is being put together by a Morgan Hill company, All Points Landscape. Their garden will be titled, “The Source of Rejuvenation.” It is described as, “Quenching our thirst and soothing our soul, water plays a key role in creating personal sanctuary. This two-tiered garden is an artistic exploration of the reflective and dynamic qualities of water.”
If you’ve never been to a full-fledged flower and garden show, don’t be surprised to see huge trees, acres of full-blooming flowers and bulbs, water bubbling down rocks and more – all inside the showroom floor. The free garden seminars are always a highlight, too. These mostly 60-minute talks start at 10:30 a.m. and run until 6:30 or 7 p.m. in two different rooms. There are more than 60 free lectures. Among them is one at 1 p.m. March 22, by Buzz Bertolero (The Dirt Gardener) and Henry Tenenbaum (Henry’s Garden) on “What’s Bugging You About Your Yard and Garden?”
Also new is “Meet the Garden Creator.” Showgoers can sign up for a free 20-minute consultation with a garden creator. This is sure to be a popular offering.
Of course, what’s a garden show without being able to buy something for the garden? More than 400 commercial exhibitors will offer the latest in plants and garden-related items. I always find something interesting to buy. Among my past finds included Doopets, snails and other garden pests shaped out of manure. They decompose naturally in your garden, providing fertilizer.
This year’s San Francisco Flower and Garden Show will feature wider aisles, expanded plant market, a floral design competition, bonsai and Ikebana and more. For information call the show hotline at (800) 829-9751 or check out its Web site at www.gardenshow.com.
