Anyone going to the SF Flower & Garden Show?

http://www.gardenshow.com/
It's going to be March 12-16th

I went a few years ago, and loved it! I hope to go this year too...

This message was edited Feb 14, 2008 10:10 AM

My Mom and I go every year, we're shooting for the first day.
There is a DG member who is participating in the landscape design part this year.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/803136/

I'm planning on going too, one of the weekend days though since I don't want to waste a vacation day to go during the week. I haven't been as impressed with the show the last year or two, but I really want to see Michelle's design and there's always at least a few interesting things.

I agree, not as good but it's always an enjoyable day none the less, a tradition now with my Mom. Last year, we went just 5 weeks after loosing my Dad following a long illness, it was therapeutic for both of us to get out. And somehow, even though we both have, as we always say 'enough plants', we always manage to bring something home.
Really looking forward to seeing Michelle's design, I've visited her garden so know it will be great.

This message was edited Feb 15, 2008 6:54 AM

I am sure going. I went nuts last year on the arisaemas. I hope they come back this year.

I want to see Michelle's booth too. It should be spectacular.

WOW, that gal Michele is impressive! I'll be sure to look for her display if I get to go. I'm planning on going on a Thursday.

I plan to go again this year. I bought some double hellebores last year, and they bloomed beautifully this Spring. I am hoping they are selling them again this year.

I have a JM class that weekend, and it was a toss up if I was going to the show or not. I've never been and the home and garden show at the fair grounds was really just a venders expo.... so I didnt know what to expect at the SF one. They actually sell plants at this one? and seeds too?
I've been tossing it around because I really hate traffic and then if I take bart, well I wouldnt be able to buy anything heavy...yadayadayada....where is it at? is parking good? is it right off the freeway? so many questions from a newbie huh? sorry!
Annmarie

It's not right off the freeway, but it's pretty close and if you get directions from Google or Mapquest it's really not hard to get to (there are signs too, so you almost don't even need the directions). There's plenty of parking as long as you don't mind paying for it and don't mind a bit of a hike from the car to the Cow Palace (which again makes it harder to buy something heavy...although if you take someone with you who can go get the car and pick you up near the door then it's not as bad)

This is definitely not like the H&G show at the fairgrounds--there are some of the same vendors, but there are also vendors who have plants, seeds, and books for sale, and I think there are some non-gardening related ones too, I seem to remember picking up a pair of cool earrings for my Mom last year, so there are some crafty sorts of things too. And then there's the big room where all the designers have set up their demonstration landscapes, you can get all kinds of cool ideas from looking at those.

We always buy and leave them at the check in and pick them up at the end of the day. You drive to the side of the building where they hold everything, show your ticket and they bring out your purchases. No need to lug them on the long trek back to the car.
Like ecrane said, nothing like the fairgrounds show, which I rarely bother going to anymore. Maybe you can get a friend to go along and split the cot of gas and parking.

You can check out the exhibitors by clicking on the Highlights tab
http://www.gardenshow.com/sf/index/index.asp

hmm, I'll have to get my dh to go and help load the truck :o)
Is it an all day thing? I was really disappointed about the H7G show, we were done in about 1 1/2 hours and I only bought a couple statues! It was really pathetic, walking up and down rows having people bark their wares at you....

You could cruise through it in an hour or two if you really wanted to, but if you slow down to check out the display gardens or take some time to go to some of the seminars you could easily turn it into a most of the day event. It's really not the same as the home & garden shows--you might see a few of the same vendors, but there's lots of stuff here that's much better. I'll put it this way--I live 10 minutes from the Alameda County fairgrounds, and I never, ever go to the home & garden show anymore. But I go to the flower show every year even though it's a 45 min drive without traffic.

LOL! Okay, I think I'm sold! I just have sooo much stuff to do to this yard and only a few hours each night and weekends to do it all in :) I'm not usually this picky, but the H& G show really was disappointing. There was also an OSH DIY thing last weekend we were tossing around about going to , decided against it because of the outcome of the H & G show.
I think I can talk my DH into the flower show. Plus I need to find a wind chime for the windchime swap :o),
Thank you all so much for your input ;o)

Glad to hear it! It's different enough from the H&G show that you owe it to yourself to at least go this once and see what you think--if you don't like it then don't go back next year, but I think you will find it better than the H&G shows.

One of the water features that will be at the show this year.

So far the exhibits are shaping up very nicely.
I think it is definitely a good year to go to be inspired, entertained and find some good garden tools/ plants and other garden related goodies.

I went on Thursday. WOW!!!!!! Loved the whole thing! I noticed that many of the designers are using succlents!
Michele's design was AWESOME! It was taller than I had anticipated. That fountain (pictured above) was a real show stopper!

And she won Best In Show! If you go to the link in the second post here, I added a few pictures. When I get a chance, I'll add a few more here.

I'm so bummed I had to miss the show--I wound up with a nasty migraine all weekend and wasn't able to make it over there. I was really looking forward to seeing Michelle's display in person :-(

I'll check that out Sue, thanks!

Outdoor bedrooms seemed a popular theme

***

I liked the use of these flue pipes for edging.

They even used shorter pieces to make designs in the gravel pathway

Redwood slices as stepping stones.

more flue with planted herbs and flowers

and an odd design using recycled materials...a bottle cap stream

PVC walkway and swinging doors covered with domino pieces

a red theme

GREAT pics Sue! I noticed all the bed displays too, I wonder if that was the theme or something?
One of the coolest walkways, I thought was the PVC pip walkway, that you show in pic # 8. Of course I HAD to pick one out, to see if it was attached, and it wasn't! Yes, I put it back...LOL I'd love to do something like that, but can just see my 2 boys ages 9 & 11, messing it up constantly...sigh