BLOG: 2012 Maryland Home & Garden Show

"Books In Bloom" is the theme of this year’s Maryland Home & Garden Show.

Some of the books that participating landscapers will interpret are: Under The Tuscan Sun, The Hobbit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter, The Secret Garden, Robinson Crusoe, Beautiful Swimmers, As You Like It and Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, according to the Maryland Home & Garden Show website.

The show starts Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 9-11. You can find the times and ticket prices by visiting their web site at mdhomeandgarden.com/spring.

Did you know that you can kill fleas on your dog just by using dishwashing liquid? Wait, what does that have to do with anything? Nothing, but it shows the breadth of things you will learn at the show.

Joey Green will show you how to use everyday items in alternative ways. After seeing Joey speak on March 3 and 4, you’ll start cleaning with cola!

This is just one of the many free seminars that will be offered at the MD Home & Garden Show.

On Saturday, after Joey’s 1 p.m. seminar and before his 3 p.m. seminar will be a (hopefully) WONDERFUL seminar called “Square Foot Gardening: Tiny Garden, Big Harvest” taught by yours truly! In addition to teaching a free seminar on Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m., I will again give a SFG seminar on Sunday, March 11, at noon.

Don’t miss the ever popular and beautiful Orchid Show & Sale with thousands of orchids to see and buy. Attendees come every year to get a glimpse of the beauty of these incredible flowers. You can then buy some by choosing from several thousand orchids to make a beautiful statement in your home. (March 9-11 only.)

The second weekend is special because of the Small Standard Flower Show sponsored by the District III and IV Federated Garden Clubs of MD. Their theme is "Who Dunnit?" Come see who will win the top prize. Then stroll over to the displays of the Baltimore Bonsai Club and learn that wonderful and mystical art. This will be held March 9-11 only. These activities take place in the Horticulture Hall.

Once again the dhow is featuring their “Find the Gnomes” contest. Look around the show and if you find all three gnomes you will be entered to win an iPad 2! They will be hiding in different sections of the show, so get everyone involved to help you in your gnome search.

Of course there will be a host of landscapers and home improvement experts to help you create your dream inside and out. If you’ve never been to the show before, you will be amazed with the beautiful displays these companies create— paving, decking, fountains, koi ponds, flowers, shrubs, trees, spas and more. In addition if you are in the market to have your roof, windows, insulation, kitchen, gutters and more repaired or replaced, you will probably find a contractor there to help. Last year I actually found a great company who came and replaced the siding on my house.

The Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers is offering free 20-minute one-on-one sessions with professional interior designers and ask you to bring your floor plans, color and fabric swatches and photos so you can get advice from local professionals. Look for the Ask a Designer booth when you arrive.

And let’s not forget that you can find handy kitchen and garden gadgets around every corner at the show. I’m in the market for a VitaMix, so I hope they’re there. You will see demonstrations that will help you slice and dice, set it and forget it, clean your floors and jewelry, organize and improve your life—usually at a special discount price. Last year I got a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit which really helps when my muscles are sore from gardening.

As if 300 exhibitors in the Home & Garden area this isn’t enough, there are also more than 125 crafters displaying their unique wares in the Exhibition Hall—I assume there is a free shuttle service between the buildings as in the past.

You can purchase tickets online or get a $2-off coupon on their web site. You can also get $2-off coupons at area Pizza Hut restaurants. If you purchase advanced tickets, they say: “With every ticket order you get a one-year Better Homes and Gardens subscription (valued at $6). You will never receive a bill and the subscription will automatically cancel after the year is over. If you already subscribe, an additional 12 issues will be added to your current subscription. While I DID receive the magazine, I also received an invoice in the mail. All I had to do was write, “This was a free subscription from the Maryland Home & Garden Show” on the invoice and mail it in enclosed postage paid envelope and the problem was resolved. 

There is information on purchasing tickets online at mdhomeandgarden.com/spring, and active duty military, police and fire employees are admitted free with ID.

If you’re there during one of my seminars, stop by and say, “Hi.”