Midwest Garden Expo offers spring-like respite in February

As winter settles over the state, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) is happy to present the spring-like warmth of Garden Expo, February 12-14 at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.It's a three-day event with hundreds of educational offerings and exhibitor booths.

Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and UW-Extension-Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team are hosting Garden Expo Feb. 12, 13 and 14, 2010, at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, Wis.

Event hours are: 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14.

The 17th annual Garden Expo is a community educational event and fundraiser based on WPT's popular monthly program, The Wisconsin Gardener. Proceeds benefit WPT's quality broadcasting and community outreach events.

The sights and fragrances of spring will issue from the 1,200-square-foot oasis in the middle of the hall. Smaller gardens that are part of exhibitor booths also dot the hall.

Hands-on workshops again are available for Expo-goers eager to express their own gardening creativity through making special take-home items. These workshops come at an additional fee.

At no additional fee, Garden Expo visitors can take in hour upon hour of lectures and demonstrations. In all, more than 100 offerings go on throughout the weekend. Lectures and demonstrations draw upon the talent and knowledge of local, state and national professionals in topics such as turf, herbs and ponds as landscape features.

Those interested in day lilies, rock gardens or composting will find like-minded peers, as well as numerous public gardens and garden-related groups that will make their way to Garden Expo.

Shelley Ryan, producer and host of The Wisconsin Gardener, will log a number of hours at the WPT booth throughout the weekend. Stop by to swap stories with her.

The always-popular Garden Expo raffle again returns. Tickets can be purchased at the WPT booth at the event.

Admission costs for the Garden Expo itself are: one-day pass, $6 in advance/$7 at the door; two-day pass, $10 in advance or at the door; and a three-day pass, $15 in advance (online only) or at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted at no cost. Admission does not include a parking fee.

For more information, check wpt.org/gardenexpo or call 800-422-9707.

Garden Expo is generously supported by Blain's Farm & Fleet, Madison Gas & Electric and the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association.

Wisconsin Public Television is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. WPT is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.