The perfect place to get ready for spring
The 23rd Annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show will be held Thursday through Sunday, March 1-4, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds and is poised to welcome thousands of people to Tennessee's largest annual gardening event. “Gardens Past, Present and Future” is the theme of the four-day show, which is a “must see” for anyone who loves spring flowers and plants, can’t wait to start a vegetable garden, and wants gardening tips and landscaping ideas, or enjoys shopping for outdoor decorations and garden tools.
More than 20 living gardens form the heart of the event. Created by award-winning Tennessee landscapers and several horticultural organizations, each garden has a distinctive style. All gardens include hundreds of plants and most feature a fountain, pond or waterfall, as well as structures such as terraces, walkways, gazebos or fireplaces. The exhibition also includes a floral design gallery with 31 showpiece arrangements that interpret the theme of the event. There are 250 displays featuring horticultural and outdoor products and services, garden and lawn equipment, and a variety of plants, seeds, herbs and bulbs.
The series of free lectures offered throughout the fair is particularly popular. This year's speakers include Peter J. Hatch, director of gardens and grounds at Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson; who will speak about President Jefferson's passion for gardening on March 2 and 3. Vincent Simeone, a gardener, garden writer and lecturer from Long Island, NY, will speak about creating sustainable landscapes on March 2nd and flowering shrubs and trees on March 3rd. Phyllis D. Light, director of the Appalachian Center for Natural Health, Arab, Alabama, will explain how to grow your own medicine on March 2. Other lecture topics include foodscapes and heirloom seed saving, hummingbirds, floral patterns and great garden plants for this region. Additionally, local gardeners, the Davidson County Master Gardeners, offer free demonstrations on gardening techniques and tips on growing specific flowers and plants. The full program of the lecture series can be viewed at www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com
Always something new
“I know a lot of people who never miss this show. There’s always something new to see,” said Randall Lantz, co-manager of the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show, hosted by the nonprofit Horticultural Association of Tennessee and sponsored by Regions Bank. More than 15 garden and flower designers as well as several exhibitors are taking part for the first time. These include The Honeybee Farm & Pantry, Inc., Summertown, TN, and One of a Kind Studios, Nashville. A garden party with free tastings and entertainment will be held in the show's gardens on Saturday, March 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show attracts more than 20,000 people from throughout the Mid-South region each year. Proceeds from the 2012 exhibit will benefit horticultural and environmental efforts in Tennessee.
Participating Regions Bank branches in Middle Tennessee are offering $1 discount vouchers for show admission. Discounts are available for groups of 15 adults or more if purchased in bulk at the ticket counter. Discount vouchers and offers cannot be combined. Tickets can also be purchased through the show's website www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com for the same price as at the door.
All events take place indoors; The show is completely handicapped accessible. Parking at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds is $5.00; Parking is free for vehicles with disabled placards or signs. A free shuttle service from the parking spaces to the trade fair entrance is available to everyone
For more information, call the Nashville Lawn & Garden Show office at 615-876-7680 or visit www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com.
© 2012 Williamson Herald