Green thumb types become a bit morose in mid-winter and the
perpetual DIY person may be ready for a new project as well. The
guys who run the annual Colorado Garden and Home Show know
precisely when to rent the Convention Center, haul in 2,000
truckloads of compost and 100 tons of rocks and create a garden —
actually 14 gardens.
They also invite 600 businesses from 25 states to display their
windows, furniture, heating and cooling equipment, greenhouses,
decks and more.
Beware of visual overload, but when that happens, take time out
for a free seminar that teaches something new.
Ongoing seminars offer hints on coping with cranky plants,
creating a soothing decor, organizing finances and more — many
presented by Arapahoe Community College’s Community Education
division.
Kids will be immediately engaged by the “Underwater Adventure”
entry garden featuring an animatronic great white shark and
elasmosaur. Town and Country Landscaping of Lone Tree designed and
installed the 5,500 square foot garden, and would be available for
a similar — or more modest — project for our readers who are
challenged by land surrounding a new or older home, but perhaps
minus the critters.
Three of the 14 live gardens are designed and constructed by
south metro businesses:
Garden A — Theme: Majestic Waterfall and Deck Retreat creates a
Rocky Mountain scene just off a deck and patio. Stone pathways
connect seating and dining areas. Designed by Mosaic Outdoor Living
and Landscapes of Englewood (David Schwank).
Garden C — Theme: Back to Nature features a natural garden, with
a campfire spot to roast marshmallows, created by Castlewood Custom
Landscape and Design Inc. of Littleton. (Steve Buser).
Garden I — Theme: Rocky Mountain Retreat with Water Harvesting
suggests a mountain environment, with a rain water harvesting
demonstration. ( This technique will be used by the proposed
Sterling Ranch development). Created by Spokas and Company of
Centennial. (Paul Spokas).
Seminar topics, scheduled on the hour, include many offered by
Arapahoe Community College’s Community Education program (Check
schedule for times). Included: Just Faux Fun; Retirement Planning;
Why Don’t Color Trends Work? ; Conquering Clutter at Home; Green in
the Home: Ready - Set - Go Green and Garden Recipes; 5 ways to Keep
Your Computer Safe; Interior Design 101.
Other programs include Denver rose guru Joan Franson, new Plant
Select varieties, new plants available generally, Xeriscaping 101
and more.
Each year, Colorado Garden Show awards horticulture-related
grants, scholarships. Projected for 2011: $500,000 will go to more
than 35 Colorado organizations, to be announced in May.
If you go:
The Colorado Garden and Home Show is at the Denver Convention
Center, 700 14th St. Hours: 10 to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Sundays; noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Parking is
available for $5 at Coors Field, with a free shuttle. Or thr Light
Rail D Line stops at the doorTickets: $12/$10, free 12 and under.
(Discounted adult tickets at TicketsWest, King Soopers.
