Have any of you ever been to the All Texas Garden Show? It's going to be held in Arlington Feb 27-Mar 1 and I'm wondering if it's worth going to? I've never been to anything like this before. Can anyone shed light on what to expect?
Here's the link from Neil Sperry's website:
http://www.texashomeandgarden.com//arlington/arlington_features.html
All Texas Garden Show
It is just like the one at the FW Convention Center had a couple months ago. You will find vendors for everything you need for your home and garden. They have cooking demonstrations, sell mops, cutting boards, hot tubs, you name it they have it. They have speakers about diferent subjects at different times; like native plants, feeding birds, veggie gardens, etc. We go almost every year because there is new item demos too. In years past we contracted with someone to do our steel siding and another to do roofing at our house using people from the home show. Also we stopped at booths info on vacation / tourist attractions in AK, MO, TX and others this year since we are newly retired.
In the past, I went every year and enjoyed it. They tend to be more garden only vendors. Neil Sperry does this one and he does a good show. He uses more chemicals than I like but still very knowledgable. Since I now am a DGer, I get things from trades and RUs so buy fewer things. Seems like the plants offered there are more common but it may be that I have a different wish list now.
If I were closer I would go but not worth the 2 plus hour drive each way for me. Go for it as it is a good Saturday outing.
I don't remember any plants being offered at the Tx Home and Garden in Ft Wth this year. They do have some beautiful landscaped water features and garden patio rooms etc. Great displays.
Thanks for the input. Yeah, I think this "All Texas Garden Show" is different than the TX Home & Garden shows, which is probably why they offer plants for sale, etc. Sounds like they'd both be good outings, especially since my husband & I are really just starting out with our gardening, etc.
The Tx Home & Garden show is more about things for house and remodelling projects or new additions, etc. Not much on gardening or plants other than some things like fountains, pavers, etc. At least, the one is Houston is like that. I've not been to the All Texas Garden Show, but it sounds great. It also sounds like I shoul!d avoid it or bring a heavy wallet! I've already got more bulbs and lilies ordered than I'm likely to find spaces for, so probably don't "need" more plants, but I can always find something that I "just can't live without" in a nursery. Such is the nature of the addiction :)
I usually hit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden's Spring and Fall Sales for plants. They are healthier and just grow better in our area than most of those at box stores. They also offer a lot of our native plants.
But then our DG plant swaps can't be beat!
I bought some Salvia greggii (6 of them) at the FW Home and Garden Show in January (I think). I believe it was the last day of the show and I think some of them may have been from the exhibits. One of the ladies told me that part of the proceeds from the plant sale were going to a children's charity and I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember which one. Anyway, they did have a brief plant sale, but it didn't last very long and the plants were gone very quickly. Mostly common/popular cultivars. I think the FW Botanical Garden's sale is better. More native plants available. Stacey
Since we're talking about Texas gardening shows/sales, be sure to check out the Texas Discovery Garden (in Fair Park in Dallas) butterfly gardening plant sale on May 15th and 16th. Many, many host and nectar plants for butterflies, lots of unusual plants not normally found in the nurseries, and just a lot of fun.
Dale
Thanks for the info Dale. I'm currently building my hummer/butterfly garden so I'll just have to pop on over there and see what they have. :)