Beat Winter Blahs; attend flower garden shows and more

Are you tired of bleak gray wintry days? Why not break out of the blahs by walking through green-space displays, hearing well-known speakers and talking to Industry experts and vendors?

During the month of January, the Industry itself schedules events which include sideline non-professional events. So, check with governmental Extension Agents and/or public gardens for events specific to your community. On the other hand, for year 2016, state of Virginia residents begin their opportunities with the Virginia Home & Garden Show. This event starts on 30^th  January and ends on 31^st and is held at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA. Immediately following, the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo is an event starting on February 5^th and ending on February 7^th and held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Produced by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation and Pilot Targeted Media, the Expo promotes horticultural education for everyone from professionals to the weekend enthusiast.

Held at the Richmond Raceway Complex from March 4^th – 6^th, the Richmond Home & Garden Show 2016 offers everything you need to make your home more beautiful, energy efficient, safe and comfortable. Whether you want to remodel a kitchen or bath, add or rebuild a deck, or replace that old electricity-eating heat pump you can find it all in just three days. For those who reside in the Tidewater area, on February 19^th- 21^st join the Tidewater Builders Association for a fantastic event the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Home & Garden Show which features an exciting line-up of celebrities and home and garden experts. This event offers gardening activities for everyone in the family.

During February, specific to central Virginia, the MAC Events Richmond Home Show occurs on Feb 5^th – 7^th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond. And, for northern Virginia residents, the Capital Home & Garden Show is held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly on February 26th  – 28^th.

Opportunities are also offered in the Valley of Virginia area. For example, the annual Shenandoah Valley Plant Symposium sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation Department provides an array of educational opportunities featuring well-known Industry experts. This Symposium held March 18^th 8:00am – 4:00pm occupies the Best Western Inn & Suites Conference Center, Waynesboro, VA.

 

By March, home and garden event opportunities nation-wide are in full swing. The Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 5^th and closes March 13^th is and remains the premier show of shows. So, if at all possible, make it a priority choice. On the other hand, there are other nation-wide events such as the Hartford Flower and Garden Show, too.

 

In later spring, events shift to specialized themes or are held out-doors. For example, The Garden Club of Virginia hosts its annual flower events, the daffodil, lily and rose shows. These shows encourage interest in artistic flower arranging and the horticulture knowledge of growing and caring for flowers.

Virginia’s historic garden week kicks off April 23^rd further providing access to more than 250 of Virginia’s finest gardens, homes and historic landmarks. Next, the area of Leesburg hosts its Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival. Held April 16^th -17^th, this festival offers award winning landscape displays, fresh cut flowers, trees and shrubs, garden sculptures, arts and crafts, fountain displays and much more.

While by now, you could be weary of hearing about home and garden opportunities to explore, to ensure you have beaten the blahs, don’t forget to visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Nation’s Capital festival is an opportunity to experience city-wide events. So, be sure to relax in a park-like atmosphere and celebrate the coming of spring!

How do you or I beat the blahs of a winter season? Identify and participate in events which provide the opportunity to be intrigued by plant introductions, newly discovered artists and craftspeople, and cutting-edge products, techniques and designs. Experience home and garden festivals, shows and more - become a home and garden event explorer!