Garden show offers a spring oasis
Calgary’s spring weather can be notoriously unpredictable. But that won’t be a problem at the Calgary Horticultural Society’s 2015 Garden Show at Spruce Meadows this Saturday and Sunday.
“We create an oasis down there. No matter what the weather is, once you walk inside the door you can smell and feel the gardening season coming,” says Horticultural Society executive director Colleen McCracken.
“It’s a celebration of spring. It’s a celebration of growing and regeneration.”
The greengate Equi- Plex, the show’s main hub, will feature exhibitor booths and demonstrations. The ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen stage returns with cooking demonstrations.
New this year are presentations on everything from how to plant seeds properly, to caring for perennials and annuals and using herbs to stay healthy. Also in the building is an Ask an Expert area, where gardening questions can be answered.
Guests will be able to purchase or renew memberships at the Horticultural Society’s booth in the greengate Equi- Plex. They can also enter to win one of three prizes: a Butchart Gardens getaway for two, a Waterton Park trip for two, or a gift basket of goodies.
Hands- on workshops for adults take place at the Spruce It Up Gallery on the Green. As well, the Horticultural Society’s affiliate associations and societies will showcase their wares.
Congress Hall features speaker presentations and the adult container garden competition entries.
The kids aren’t left out, either, as they can learn about gardening and the natural world at free events.
The garden show hits the airwaves Sunday when Let’s Talk Gardening radio hosts Meryl Coombs and Joanne Dafoe answer gardening questions on News Talk 770 from 9 to 11 a. m.
The garden show is the horticultural society’s biggest fundraiser. Attending the show, purchasing or renewing a membership or picking up a ticket for the 50- 50 draw all benefit the horticultural society.
A society membership is $ 45 for an adult, $ 55 for a family, $ 25 for a student or senior and $ 35 for a senior family. Children 12 and under can enter for free.
Garden show tickets cost $ 10 for society members, $ 12 for nonmembers when bought in advance and $ 15 at the door. Non- members can get a $ 5 discount if they buy a horticultural society membership at the show. The parking is also free at Spruce Meadows.