Garden & Landscape Expo
to
Alliant Energy Center 1919 Energy Center Way, Madison, Wisconsin 53713
Peg Thompson
Garden and Landscape Expo attendees examine a display.
Garden and Landscape Expo attendees examine a display.
Annual PBS Wisconsin fundraiser, noon-7 pm on 2/9, 9 am-6 pm on 2/10 and 10 am-4 pm, 2/11, Alliant Energy Center-Exhibition Hall, with exhibitors, seminars.
media release: The annual PBS Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo returns to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Feb. 9-11. Event hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
PBS Wisconsin hosts the community educational event and fundraiser in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Horticulture Program. All proceeds support PBS Wisconsin’s quality programming, educational initiatives and events that serve to enrich Wisconsin communities. Advance tickets are available to purchase now at wigardenexpo.com.
This year’s event celebrates the latest trends in gardening, landscaping, local foods and ecological sustainability — with information and advice spread among lush green plants, colorful flowers and delicious bounties from home gardens and Wisconsin farms.
Visitors are invited to explore the Garden & Landscape Expo Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. The Farmers Market features farmers, food artisans and local food retailers. Products available at the market include artisan cheeses and fresh cheese curds, heritage pork, beef, lamb, herbal tea, fine chocolates and more.
Highlights from this year’s event include:
- More than 150 exhibitors selling seeds, plants, landscaping services, books, tools, lawn equipment and other exciting merchandise for gardens and yards of all sizes.
- More than 150 free educational seminars and demonstrations on topics such as perennial garden design, growing heirloom tomatoes, raising chickens, foraging, food preservation, proper tree planting and much more. Multiple sessions will be led by Madison area residents (see more below).
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Horticulture Program experts will be available to offer insight, plant identification and tips to gardeners and amateur landscapers of all levels.
- Seed Swap with Seed Savers Exchange - Open Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., seeds will be offered from the Seed Savers collection and participants are encouraged (though not required) to bring open-pollinated, heirloom seeds to share with others. Chat with representatives from Seed Savers Exchange and learn more about the organization and their facilitated gardener-to-gardener seed sharing community.
- PBS KIDS Backyard - Cultivate a love for gardening and the outdoors with your entire family in PBS KIDS Backyard! In addition to a variety of educational gardening activities, the area will feature a swing set, basketball court, trampoline and putting green. Every day is “Family Day” at Garden & Landscape Expo, with special highlights, including Clifford the Big Red Dog and Daniel Tiger meet and greets, throughout the weekend. Background equipment provided by PlayN Wisconsin.
- The Wisconsin Idea in Action - As the University of Wisconsin-Madison celebrates its 175th anniversary, PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio and the UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program reflect on the shared and individual impact of our work across the state — and beyond — through a horticulture- and media-focused historical exhibit at Garden & Landscape Expo. Together, we’ll celebrate the reach and impact of The Wisconsin Idea, both in our past and in our future.
- Garden & Landscape Expo Shirts and Totes - Display your love of gardening and PBS Wisconsin with a Garden & Landscape Expo T-shirt, sweatshirt and tote bag. T-shirts are $15. Sweatshirts and tote bags are $20! Get yours at the PBS Wisconsin booth. Proceeds support PBS Wisconsin.
- The Garden & Landscape Expo Photography Contest brings another form of art, imagery and perspective to the event. See stunning work from Wisconsin amateur photographers capturing the natural beauty of the state. Attendees are encouraged to vote for their favorite photograph for the Viewers’ Choice Award, which will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.
- Imagine Standard Flower Show - Presented by Madison District Garden Clubs, this year’s Standard Flower Show is titled Imagine. National Garden Clubs judges will evaluate exhibits and viewers are welcome to vote for their favorite each day of Garden & Landscape Expo.
- Floral Design Challenge - Saturday 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. on Demo Stage A. Based on the popular TV show Chopped, four Standard Flower Show judges will each simultaneously create a floral design without knowing what is in their "basket." Designers will describe their inspiration and the audience will pick their favorite.
- An exciting Garden & Landscape Expo raffle for prizes including landscape packages, equipment, decorations, tools and more. Raffle ticket proceeds support PBS Wisconsin.
Single-day tickets for Garden & Landscape Expo cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Two-day passes are available for $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Three-day passes are available for $18 in advance and $20 at the door.
Advance ticket retail outlets are located conveniently around the state at various supporting businesses. A complete list is available at wigardenexpo.com. Visitors also can purchase advance tickets at wigardenexpo.com through Feb. 8. There is an additional charge for parking at the Alliant Energy Center.
Special thanks to our event sponsors Wisconsin Greenhouse Company, Flawn Seed Kits and Willy Street Co-op.
PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.
presentations include:
Leslie Holland will present a seminar titled, “Common Backyard Fruit Diseases and How to Manage Them.” Brian Hudelson will present three seminars titled, “Diseases of Native Plants,” “Growing Healthy Plants: Basics in Plant Disease Management” and, “Vegetable Diseases.” Madelyn Jahnke will present a seminar titled, “Planting Trees for the Future.” Lisa Johnson will present a seminar titled, “Soils and Plant Nutrition.” Stephanie Judge will present a seminar titled, “Make a Pollinator Paradise! Transition Your Yard to Host Native Plants for Wildlife.” Samantha Malone will present a seminar titled, “Inside Look at Olbrich’s Garden Scouts.” Brenna Marsicek will present a seminar titled, “Preventing Bird-Window Collisions at Your Home.” Erin Presley will present two seminars titled, “Sustainable Success at Olbrich Gardens: Translatable Tips to Take Home” and, “Treecycling: Funky and Functional Ways to Conserve Woody Debris for a Healthier Garden Ecosystem.” Patrick Ready will present a seminar titled, “Attracting Eastern Bluebirds & Other Cavity Nesters.” Angela Rivera Rautmann will present a seminar titled, “Backyard Composting 101.” Michael and Kathi Rock will present two seminars titled, “Gardening for Hummingbirds” and, “Salvias: Hidden Treasures for Your Upper-Midwestern Pollinator Garden.” Jennifer Williamson will present a seminar titled, “Saving You Money & Protecting The Environment.” Isaac Zaman will present a seminar titled, “Last Year’s Brush: Create a DIY aesthetic in Your Garden with Natural Materials.” Kacy Zander will present a seminar titled, “Stories of transformation: Occupy Madison’s Journey Through Bouquet Making and Housing the Houseless.”
- a session led by Inga Witscher, host of the PBS Wisconsin program, Around the Farm Table. Meet Witscher throughout the event and join her for an entertaining and educational demonstration on how to make Thai butternut squash soup with fresh pesto.
- a session led by prominent Wisconsin gardening personalities. Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) host Larry Meiller will present a seminar titled “Garden Talk.” Along with horticulture experts Lisa Johnson and Brian Hudelson, Meiller will talk about the coming planting season and take questions about your garden. Lots of fun and some great prize drawings to boot!
And nationally known gardening expert, author, columnist and TV/radio host Melinda Myers will present three seminars titled “Landscaping for Birds: A Gardener’s Perspective,” “Pruning Shrubs including Hydrangeas” and, “Shade-Tolerant Shrubs and Small-Scale Trees.”