Got Tickets?!
Occasionally Mother Nature has given us freezing temperatures during our 5-day Northwest Flower & Garden Show run. So it’s wonderful to escape the cold and enjoy springtime inside the garden show, surrounded by tens of thousands of blooming plants. Enter and inhale deeply…
Long-time attendees will remember standing outside on the exhaust-filled street to buy tickets before the show opened at 9 am, or to buy Half-Day tickets at 3 pm. The show has made the experience more comfortable! We’ve MOVED the ticket office to just outside the show in the 4th Floor North Lobby.
The NWFGS ticket office is on the 4th floor of the North Lobby, right outside the North entrance by the sky bridge
Don’t forget to get your hand stamped so you can re-enter the show that day.
The easiest way to buy tickets is to go to our website and use our convenient print-at-home feature. Or head to a retail ticket outlet – use our searchable list and find the outlet nearest your home. Our retail tickets have a coupon on the back good for 10% off your entire purchase at our Merchandise booth. Look for some cool 25th anniversary souvenirs.
If you bought a tickets from a retail outlet, look for a coupon for a 10% discount on show merchandise on the back of your ticket.
Or call our Ticket Hotline toll free at 800-343-6973.
And you can even purchase your tickets on your smartphone, and we will scan your phone at the door.
Remember, the Early Bird ticket prices are only $16 for a full-day ticket, but you must purchase your ticket before February 20th. After that, online and ticket outlet prices go to $20, as well as at-the-door ticket prices. Our Half Day tickets are hugely popular at only $10, for entry into the show at 3 pm Wednesday – Saturday, and 2 pm on Sunday. Bring a $10 bill and we’ll have 2 ticket lines just for cash customers.
Don’t forget to get your hand stamped if you leave the show and want to return!
Don’t forget to get your hand stamped when you enter so if you leave the show, you can re-enter the same day.
Children 12 and under get in FREE and a Youth ticket is only $5. For a really great entertainment value, our 2-Day Pass is only $29 (only available online, by phone at 253-756-2121 or at the show).
The weather is looking like it will be just the way we like it, so Spring will arrive February 20 – 24 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. See you at the show! ~ Janet
Gardening 101: Design Solutions
We all have gardening dilemmas. Sometimes pests and diseases on our plants get us down, and we don’t want to use harmful chemicals. Or our plants get too unruly and overgrown but we are clueless on proper pruning. Or maybe we’re just bored with the same few plants in the yard, but have no idea which must-have plants to buy. (Been there, done all of that!)
We introduce Gardening 101 to the rescue! Our new series of seminars that will give you info-packed ideas to help solve these problems. Look for them Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 am in the Rainier Room.
But what if you are in need of some design inspiration? That’s the focus of Gardening 101: Design Solutions, featuring three top speakers who will inspire you to new heights.
Join Marty Wingate as she shows you how to get more peace and privacy in your garden; Vanessa Gardner Nagle, APLD will help you accessorize your garden with a wide variety of furnishings; and Lucy Hardiman tackles your small space dilemmas to make the most of your space. It’s three 30-minute, back-to-back seminars that will pack a punch. (Click on each speaker’s name to read their bio and full seminar description.)
Discover more great seminars on our website and plan your days at the show. With over 100 seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, consider a Two-Day Pass so you can take advantage of more of them. But don’t delay – the show is February 20 – 24, and once it’s over, you have to wait until February 2014 for the next one. ~ Janet
Finding Your Garden Style
What’s your garden style? Does your garden really reflect who you are? Does it work with you and your family, extending your home into the outdoors? Or perhaps it just sort of sits there, not providing any real family enjoyment, but (if you’re lucky) not being much of a hassle.
Here’s your chance to be inspired to turn your garden into one with style, functionality and beauty that’s just right for you. These must-see speakers will offer a wealth of ideas and solutions no matter what your what garden dreams are.
Don’ miss Sharon Lovejoy, Lucy Hardiman, Debra Prinzing, Mary Ann Newcomer, Teresa O’Connor and Helen Yoest as they offer ideas for easier care, front yard impact, vertical gardening, compatible plantings, accessorizing your garden, and even seeing how the 1% in Hollywood style their own gardens.
Make this the year you style your garden just right for you! To discover more seminars that will improve your garden’s style, check out our Speakers at a Glance page. And act soon to buy your tickets – Early Bird Tickets must be purchased before February 20. The Northwest Flower & Garden Show will be held February 20 – 24 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Join us, and find your garden style. ~ Janet
Show Guide in Monday’s Seattle Times
The all-important Northwest Flower & Garden Show SHOW GUIDE will be in your Seattle Times – both home delivery and news stand editions on Monday, February 18th!
Look for the Show Guide as a downloadable PDF file on the garden show website on Monday. Read up on the 23 fully-built show gardens that await you. Plan your days at the show to catch as many of our incredible speakers as you can. You can read their bios and seminar descriptions on our website, and peruse the list of over 70 author book signings too.
You’ll also want to check out the Exhibitor List, since shopping over 350 mini garden stores takes some strategy! Good thing we have free package check, large item load-out and free plant inspection for our Canadian guests.
Be sure to read Sunday’s Pacific Northwest magazine in the Seattle Times. You won’t want to miss Val Easton’s “At Home, Designers Aim for Looks That Last” feature articles.
The theme of the special garden show issue is garden designers in their own gardens. Four gardens are featured, plus a debut of the brand new Great Plant Picks. It includes Terry Welch’s new garden on Vashon; edible container expert Barbara Libner’s Wallingford garden; and the cover story on Kate Farley’s West Seattle extravaganza of a garden.
So plan your strategy to attend the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, to be held February 20 – 14 at the Washington State Convention Center, by picking up a copy of next Monday’s Seattle Times so you can get the SHOW GUIDE.
The garden show has been a gardening tradition for 25 years (read my anniversary tribute in Pacific Horticulture) and one thing hasn’t changed – our commitment to bringing you a world-class garden show brimming with inspiration, education and entertainment, for both well-seasoned gardeners, budding “grewbies” and curious children – the charming gardeners of our future. - Janet
Subaru Presents Organic Gardening Pioneers
The Northwest Flower & garden Show is proud to partner with Subaru bringing two leading innovators of organic gardening to our seminar stages.
This is an opportunity for a thought-provoking look at the organic gardening movement in the U.S. –where it was, where it is, and where it’s going, and importantly, the role women have played in its genesis and success.
Therese Ciesinski, Managing Editor of Organic Gardening magazine will recognize the invaluable contributions of women from every walk of life as they nurtured their families and their communities with organic edible gardening. Therese will be speaking on Wednesday, February 20 at 11:30 am.
Coach Mark Smallwood, Executive Director of the Rodale Institute, will give us a detailed overview of the past, present, and future of the organic movement in the United States and the role that Rodale Institute had in supporting and shaping that transition. Coach will be speaking on Thursday, February 21 at 3:00 pm.
We will be giving away door prizes to lucky winners at both these seminars - gift cards for Subaru gear and subscriptions to Organic Gardening magazine. And be sure to visit the Subaru garden on the sky bridge and in the South Lobby and learn more about how Subaru supports the gardening community and the environment.
The Northwest Flower & Garden Show will be held February 20 – 24 at the Washington state Convention Center in Seattle. All seminars are FREE to show attendees – over 100 unique, entertaining and inspirational talks to help you create your best garden ever. Get your tickets today. ~ Janet
Expand Your Gardening Library – Part 2
Yes, it’s the age of the internet. But nothing beats curling up in a comfy chair with a good gardening book. It’s a wonderful way to get inspired for the coming gardening season, and help to improve your skills in all kinds of ways.
There’s only one rule about gardening books – there are no rules! And with so many titles to choose from with our 90 speakers, you will find lots of new books that suit your style and needs.
So check out the seminars by Billy Goodnick, Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz, Tovah Martin, Amanda Thomsen, Diane Morgan, Jane C. Gates, Kevin McElroy & Matthew Wolpe and local favorite Debra Prinzing. (Just click on their name above for a link to their full bio and seminar details.) Then join them at the Book Signing Station to get your new book autographed.
With over 100 seminars to choose from, and over 70 author book signings, you’re sure to find some great titles that will keep the excitement you have for the new garden season going strong until the weather improves and you can actually get outside in the garden! ~ Janet
Thinking Outside the (Recycled) Box
Recycling, reusing, repurposing… it’s not just a fad. It’s a way to life for some garden designers who strive to breathe a second life into an unimaginable array of ‘stuff.’ Someday perhaps our landfills will disappear, as everyone catches on and reuses their stuff in new and exciting ways in their homes and gardens.
Here are a few ideas from past Northwest Flower & Garden Show display gardens and container exhibition (now called the ‘Small Space Showcase’) that will spark your own creativity to reuse and repurpose items that might be destined for the dumpster.
(Above) Pamela Richards settled an old vintage bed into her black and white garden she created for the 2005 garden show.
In 2009 Adam Gorski Landscapes used an old white table and two fire engine red 50’s style chairs to go with the shiny red of a vintage Mustang and a red coral back maple.
Exteriorscapes planted this classic claw-foot tub, put it in front of some used windows and set it on a checkerboard pebble mosaic, with a planted chair and rug for a cozy washroom scene in the 2010 garden show.
Christianson’s Nursery always excels in creating the nostalgic look. Here their 2011 garden was reminiscent of family nurseries of yesteryear, with a barn built with old weathered wood.
Courtney Goetz of the Creative Gardener designed these gabion walls in the entry to her 2011 garden, using old wire, wine bottles and topping them with street covers.
Another scene from Courtney’s 2011 garden, where an old shipping container serves as a garden house, topped with a greenhouse made from old window doors.
DIG Floral & Garden used old crates to make the containers in their container garden at the 2011 show. We’ll never go back to boring plastic pots again.
Molbak’s created this greenhouse using vintage windows in funky colors for their 2011 container garden on the sky bridge.
More recycled materials in another garden by Pamela Richards, where she combined an old rusted screen as a backdrop that blends perfectly with the rusty antique bench.
For their 2011 container garden, Windmill Gardens planted their container garden by recycling metal containers and wood, and maybe even an old gardener!
Likewise, in 2012 Artisans Cottage brought in many kinds of repurposed items to create an old-fashioned vignette. ‘Mother Earth’ was popular with show attendees as she took a break from her gardening activities.
In 2012 Artistic Garden Concepts designed a lush garden with a romantic setting, using an old pallet with wooden legs for a candlelight dinner. Do try this at home.
Tumwater’s Black Hills High School students found use for these lovely rusted old wheels (probably made well before they were born) for their ‘Funky Junk” garden at the 2012 show.
This container garden by Ravenna Gardens shows that any old glass container can be turned into a beautiful terrarium – the ultimate easy care garden for inside or outdoors.
Even old pianos can have a new life with their top planted, as shown by the imaginative people at Sunnyside Nursery.
Last year Native Root Designs and WSNLA created this dramatic black and white checkerboard garden with two vertical pieces made from old pallets serving as focal points.
Lovers of all things vintage will love to know we’ll have a Vintage Garden Market at this year’s show. We’re bringing in a dozen of the top vintage/antique vendors from around the state and putting them together in the North Hall for a fabulous shabby chic ‘flea market.’
The Northwest Flower & Garden Show, to be held February 20 – 24 at the Washington State Convention Center, will feature 23 amazing show gardens plus 16 Small Space Showcase gardens. Designers are putting on their finishing touches, and you are sure to see a lot more imaginative ideas for recycling and repurposing. Don’t miss it! ~ Janet
Container Mania
Container gardening is huge! Containers are so perfect for any garden style, space or growing condition. They are adaptable to gardens seasonally as well, or they can become a permanent focal point with year-round interest.
You will be truly inspired by our speakers coming from around the U.S., as well as right in our own backyard. It doesn’t get any better than this, and when it comes to container gardening, it’s so easy to do with the top tips from these speakers.
If you want to spice up the containers in your life, or add a few more, then catch one or all of these must-see seminars. Karen Chapman, Christina Salwitz, Dee Nash, Bruce Bailey and Barbara Wise will be wowing you with their designs for containers of all sizes, shapes and styles that will really enhance your garden, large or small. (Click on their name above for their full bio and seminar details.)
To see more speakers coming to the 25th annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show February 20 – 24 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle just click here. Tickets are still only $16, but you better hurry – Early Bird Tickets must be purchased before February 20. ~ Janet
Going Coconuts!
The Northwest Flower & Garden Show is a wonderful way to spend an outdoor Spring day with the kids – indoors in February! With six acres of show to explore, it’s like spending the day at a park.
Even better – children 12 and under get into the show for FREE, and Youth tickets (age 13 – 17) are only $5.00.
The show wants young children to learn about the wonder of nature around them, spend a day without screens and dig the outdoors! So we’ve created a PlayGarden just for the kids. This is one area of the show where the motto definitely is “Look and touch!”
But we know the adults want to see the show gardens, so we help you engage your children with a Treasure Hunt! And there’s even a prize at the end thanks to Molbak’s Home + Garden.
Since the theme of the PlayGarden is “Swiss Family Robinson” (read more about it here) then we’ll be hiding COCONUTS in the show gardens. And these coconuts can be challenging to find! Each garden creator is going to disguise their coconut, so kids need to keep a sharp eye on the gardens to find every one.
Each show garden has a coconut ‘hiding in plain sight.’ Find them all and kid’s get a prize from Molbak’s Home & Garden!
Simply pick up a Treasure Hunt form as you enter the show, or at the PlayGarden, the Show Information booths, or at the Display Gardens. Then head off to the gardens for a treasure hunt adventure!
Once all the coconuts have been discovered by eager, eagle-eyed children, simply turn in the completed form at the Molbak’s booth, # 402. Kids will win a special prize from Molbak’s – a packet of sunflower seeds, and a coupon for a free hot chocolate on your next visit to Molbak’s.
So bring the entire family to the garden show, and let the kids go coconuts! ~ Janet
Taking You from Garden to Table
If you have integrated edibles into your landscaping, you might be looking for ways to take them from the garden to your table, for healthy, delicious meals that use the fresh ingredients you’ve grown.
Enter our new Garden to Table Cooking Series at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, to be held February 20 – 24 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.
We have brought together some stars of the culinary, edible gardening and entertaining world to show you some easy ways to use those edibles that you’ve grown. They’ll be flashing their skillets and stirring their pots with recipes ranging from delicious soups, omelets, preserved foods from your pantry, even alcoholic beverages to liven up the party.
Join Diane Morgan, Graham Kerr, Erica Strauss, Lorene Edwards Forkner, Amy Stewart and Alexandra Hedin as they stand behind the stove and wield their spatulas. We’ll have two Garden to Table cooking demos each day, beginning at 1:30 pm. (Click on each speaker’s name above for their full bio and seminar description.)
So don’t be caught ordering takeout when you can take in from your garden! For more of our fun and educational seminars see our “Speakers at a Glance” page. And get your $16 Early Bird Tickets soon – they must be purchased before February 20 when the price goes up to $20. ~ Janet
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