Have you been and is it worth it? Are the crowds obscene or could you actually breathe? I'll probably go regardless, but it's always nice to hear from you lovely posters!

It's really not that bad. Plenty of breathing room in the ARC. Although some exhibitors can attract a fair number of people at one time. You can see the whole thing in an hour or hour and a half at a leisurely pace. The only thing that really gets crowded is if Antietam Dairy is there selling ice cream. Lot's of stuff to buy, but the Mennonite folks usually have the cheapest stuff. I think I usually go on Sunday afternoon. It's a pretty good thing to go too, maybe get some ideas. If you're not familiar with the HCC campus, you turn into the main drive off Robinwood and make the first left. Follow the road to the large parking lots on the left and right, just before the ARC.

I go every year. It used to be "mom's alone time" for me .I stroll around and steal ideas from others . Then I go back to venders to buy some herbs and such and I always buy myself a dozen roses! . I never stay long.It'doesn't take me that long at places like that because if I'm not interested in the "product" I move along.This year I have to go on Sun. cuz I got a CPR class that'll take all day Sat. I usually get there early because I hate the baby strollers that are as big as *amn cars!They'll run ya over in a heart beat. 4 bucks is worth it because if you do have some problems you can probably get some answers there from the "experts".And I like getting the free pine tree too! My meadow has at least 6 of the buggers! Hmmm,wonder if I be able to get the free Sun. paper this year too?! I'd go if I was you especially if you can get away by yourself. An early Mom's Day present!

I will probably go after teaching Sunday school, but before I have to be at work at 1. Hopefully it won't be crowded yet and I can cover it. I just have this hill from *ell that I need help figuring out what to with it. It's gonna cost a fortune I know, because it runs the entire length of my property. It's too steep to mow, and has a power line easement, so I can't plant trees. Ground cover is the way to go, but it's such a big area that it will need more than just some sprawling plant in order to look good. Unfortunately, it is along the road, so everyone sees it, especially when the traffic backs up and people are sitting there! Wish I could win the lottery, then I could ahve the whole place landscaped!!

Antietam Dairy was there for the Home Show last weekend. YUM!

I love the garden show..have to go sunday because I also have to go & re-learn cpr/first aid...ha,ha..
I hope it is better than the home show was last weekend..it had so many banks and realtors I thought I was at a realtor exhibition..or builders...but there was not much on re-doing your house...just 3 exhibitors this year on decking..oh well...
I always buy flowers and then plant them and then it freezes...but I usually buy myself a set of daffodils...just for me...

Momsapilot - to cover your hill, why not several sprawling plants? Ever think about trying phlox?

I've actually considered phlox among other options. Some folks down the street have some along the road, but it's a small patch. I'm talking somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400 sq.ft.!! That's a whole lotta phlox. What I'm thinking is some retaining wall brick circles jutting out with phlox or some other plant in it, surrounded by some evergreen and mulch. I DON"T KNOW!!! There's a house on Jefferson Blvd, near Antietam Dr. that has a really steep hill covered with evergreen. That's about the steepness of mine, only a lot longer!! I just don't want all evergreen...BORING! I wish I had a good pic to show you.

Oh I SO miss the flower & garden show! It used to be a tradition for my Mom & I to go together every year! I still have a few houseplants that I bought from there over 6 years ago! I think it was Dragonlady that said she bought a dozen roses for herself? I too would do the same thing! :-) Believe it or not, they don't have any kind of garden show here in Louisville!

Nah, all you've got is the Run for the Roses!!

I wasn't all that impressed, actually. Of course, I have a brown thumb and kill every plant I come in contact with. Maybe if it was a passion of mine, I woud have gotten more out of it. Did find a potential landscaper to come check out my back hill and give me an estimate, though. Anyone have an opinion about Ott's??

Ott's is okay. I had them professionally design and landscape my foundation plantings. Laurie, I think, was the one that did it. I was a little disappointed in the work, but that was my fault for not being more specific about what I wanted. They didn't work the soil for the beds but merely planted the shrubs and such, and of course mulched. I should have specified that I wanted the beds worked with compost, gypsum and sand. The soil for the most part is backfilled clay and really needs more organic stuff in it. I'm not sure if I'd use them again. Just make sure you know what you're getting, and that goes for anyone -- don't assume anything.

Thanks for the advice, Yo.

momsapilot- You could always go the way of perennials.Iris,Shasta Daisy,Black-eyed Susan,Purple Cone Flower. The Phlox takes a few years to fill in unless you use a large amount to begin with.I never cared for the "all evergreen" look on hills.I think if you invest in some pretty perennials and use alot (they spread out too over time) and then maybe some annuals for quick color,it would look good. Mulch the rest of the hill real good and it'll look nice for this year and maybe the next.

I went to the show and I don't think they had as many vendors there this year as before. Got my FREE Sunday Herald-mail,some herbs;parsley,chives,rosemary. Found a rose scented geranium! It's suppose to have pink flowers.I should've bought the lemon sage( it would've been great on fish!), but I didn't. Got some hand made soaps,bought my roses( they're beautiful on the dining room table).There weren't that many NEW ideas for the garden that I could steal,I mean borrow! There seemed to be alot of dried arrangements which I'm not in to.Lots of architectural( oo,college word!) things to put in the garden. Can't wait for May when I plant!!

Definitely want little splashes of color to avoid the all evergreen look. Will most definitely go with perennials, but they have to be hearty in full sun and not demand too much care. Like I said, I can't garden worth a hoot.

Did you see that place that had the concrete benches? I'd like to put one of those in a little flower bed at the corner, so all the kiddies can have a place to park while they wait for the bus!

oh yuck did ya have to go & remind me about the Derby Momsapilot? It is such an overhyped event! It just gives people a reason to party! Oh ya & it really seriously stinks that it falls on my son's 4th b-day this year! oh man & that rose garland that they drape over the winning horse? I've gone to see it being made, it's actually done at a local grocery store's florist dept! It takes over 5 hours to make & they even have police on hand to "guard" it! All that work & it's actually on the horse for 2 minutes of photo ops @@ LOL can ya tell that I'm not too fond of Louisville? Don't get me wrong, it's a great city & all, I'm just partial to MD

Always wanted to go to the derby, just so I could wear a big hat!!

Shoot hun! Ya don't need the "Derby" to wear a big hat! Ya just need " Hattitude"!! I wear em all the time.