Go to the New Jersey Flower Show

I'm noticing the subtle, slow-but-sure signs of spring: the dripping downspout, the spreading patch of bare earth, the warming afternoon sun. If that's not doing it for you and you want maximum "spring's on the way" affirmation, go to a flower show.

I will attend the Flower & Garden Show of New Jersey this weekend and here's why I think you should too:

Support NJ Growers and Designers: This is New Jersey's show with local growers, designers, landscapers, and others connected to keeping the Garden State green. Next month’s blockbuster Philadelphia Flower Show will attract a quarter of a million people and generate millions of dollars for the economy. By all means, go to Philly, but make it a point to support our own too.

Connect with the NJ Garden Community: From the Rutgers Gardens, NJ Audubon and nurseries to the Garden Club of New Jersey, chat with gardening enthusiasts and experts.

Smell the Flowers: Ten full-size display gardens with flowers, fragrance and fountains.

Learn from Experts: Attend seminars on planning, backyard gardening for birds and butterflies, container gardening, shade plants, small-space vegetable gardening, flowering trees and shrubs, composting and more. One display garden will showcase the beauty and benefits of a rain garden to mitigate run-off issues.

Small-Fry Fun: Kids can make a seed ball, mini-greenhouse, and garden sculptures while learning about gardening and growing.

Try Before You Buy: I've been eyeing a Lee Valley hand pruner in the catalog and can't wait to see how it fits in my grip.

Really Cool Seeds: I plan to buy some new-to-me tomato seeds sold by the Landreth company from nearby Pennsylvania.

Buy Plants: Vendors will sell specialty houseplants, tubers, and tropicals. On Sunday afternoon from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. you can buy some of the plants and accessories from the display gardens.

It's a Good Value: Individual adult tickets are $15, but adults get in 2-for-1 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday after 5 p.m. Kids ages 12-17 are $6, under 11 are free and seniors get in for $10. Find a $1 off an adult admission coupon on the site. Plus, at the show you can sign up for a free one-year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

NJ Flower & Garden Show: Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, at the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison.

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Playgrounds Pesticides Ban Petition: I heard from Suzanne Aptman this week of Safe Lawns Montclair. She urges people to sign a petition in support of the Safe Playing Fields Act currently in NJ legislature discussions. If passed, the law would ban lawn care pesticides use on the grounds of schools, day care centers, parks and recreational fields. While Safe Lawns Montclair started the petition, this law would cover all New Jersey municipalities. I plan to cover the West Orange angle next week.