Since spring is starting this month, I thought I'd let you know about some gardening events coming up in 2008. This is a list of the ones I know about. If you know of any others, please drop me a note and I'll include it in a future article.

Maryland Home and Garden Show February 29 - March 2; March 7 - 9
Maryland State Fairgrounds - Timonium MD
This is really neat to go to. There is a huge section in the Cow Palace where a lot of local nurseries set up full size gardens. Some of the gardens are gorgeous! A lot of them have trees and bulbs that have been forced to bloom just for this show. After a winter full of dull and drab landscapes, walking around in the gardens is a perfect pick-me-up. The vendor area is a good place to buy plants and other gardening items. There's also a huge section that has miscellaneous home improvement stuff. It's neat to walk around and get ideas, even if you're not planning any home improvement projects. It costs $10 to get in, but it's worth it. I go almost every year. For more info, check out http://www.mdhomeandgarden.com/0_HG/01_HG_show_info.html Here's a link for a $1.00 off coupon for the show: http://www.slprod.com/homeCoupon.html

Maryland Orchid Society Show and Sale March 7-9
Maryland State Fairgrounds - Timonium MD
This is actually at the same time and location as the second weekend of the Home and Garden Show. They have displays that are just gorgeous! Plus, they have a section where you can buy some very nice looking orchids. http://marylandorchids.org

Maryland Daffodil Society Daffodil Show April 22 - 23
The Shops at Kenilworth - 802 Kenilworth Drive, Towson MD
I've never been to this, so I don't know much about it, but it sounds like it would be interesting. I could not find a web site for the Maryland Daffodil Society, so I don't have any more info about this. If you're up in Towson one of those days, stop in and let me know what this is like.

Towson Gardens Day Thurs April 24, 10 AM - 3 PM
Courthouse Fountain Plaza, Towson
There are a lot of vendors selling flowers and plants at pretty good prices. It's very pleasant walking around because normally the azaleas are blooming along with all of the flowers and plants for sale. There are also crafts for sale. I try to go to this every year. Rain date is Friday 4/25.

Harford Live! Home and Garden Show April 26-27
Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen MD
I've never been to this event, but it looks like it could be pretty nice. Based on their website, it looks like a combination craft/home improvement/gardening show. http://www.harfordlive.com

Flower Mart at Mt. Vernon May 2-3
Mt. Vernon Park at Washington Monument, downtown Baltimore
This is supposed to be a big flower and plant sale. I've never been here, but I've heard it's pretty good. You can maybe hit this early Friday before you go to our RG. http://www.flowermart.org/

Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage May 4, 10 AM - 5 PM
Mount Vernon, Baltimore, MD
I've been on one of these in the past (not this particular one), and it was very interesting. You are taken on a tour of various private gardens and public parks. It is interesting to not only see the gardens, but some of the buildings on this tour sounds interesting too. Unfortunately, you'll have to miss this because you'll be at our RG, won't you? :) http://mhgp.org/08%20mount%20vernon.html

May Fair Sat May 17, 9 AM (maybe 8:30, I am not sure) - 1:30 PM
Kenilworth Mall in Towson
Go to this. Many of the local garden clubs set up tables and sell very inexpensive flowers and plants here. As an example, good healthy perennials normally sell for around $2 - $3 each (sometimes even less). Compare that to $5.00 - $8.00 at nurseries. Also, if you have any questions about anything concerning gardening, somebody here will know the answer and help you. I go to this every year. The tables are set up in the mall. There is no admission charge.

Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage May 18, 10 AM - 5 PM
Baltimore County/village of Oella
I've been on the Baltimore County version of this (not this particular one), and it was very interesting. You are taken on a tour of various private gardens. This year includes a llama farm! This sounds like an interesting tour. http://mhgp.org/08%20oella.html

Baltimore Herb Festival probably May 24, 10am-4pm
Leakin Park, 1900 Eagle Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207
I'm not sure of the date because they haven't updated their website, but it's normally around this time every year. There are boatloads of vendors selling all kinds of plants, not just herbs (although the emphasis is on herbs). It's so big that a lot of people attending this event bring wagons so they can more easily haul around the plants they purchase. Check their website for the exact date. http://www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

The Cylburn Arboretum (4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore) normally has several plant sales throughout the year. However, as of this writing they have not updated their website with 2008 events. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/EventsFolder/calendar.htm

One other event that is not garden related, but is still worth mentioning, is the 2008 Greater Baltimore Hamboree and Computerfest on March 29-30 at the Timonium Fairgrounds. If you don't know what a Hamboree and Computerfest is, it is basically a big flea market with electronics stuff being sold. There are also vendors selling new items. For more information, go to www.gbhc.org.

On a personal note, we had some sadness recently in out home. One of our pet pigs, Tessie Sue, recently passed away. As any pet owner knows, it's tough when you lose one of your "babies". She was a smart, sweet pig with a good personality. I had her for 12 years, so she will be missed. 

As always, if you have any comments or anything else you'd like to share with me, drop me a note at my email address listed below.

Gary Gabris
Northern Area Coordinator
MNorthCoord@gmail.com