Whodathunkit? They actually have to talk “green” at a show that is all about outdoor spaces. Alright, I’m being a little facetious since we all know you can grow a garden with loads of chemicals and genetically altered plants. Since I’ve always gardened organically (the past 15 years or more at 5-6 different home sites) of course I am pleased to see that we’re coming back into a time where individuals believe that we can take a role in better caring for our planet and the resources used in it, as well as what we derive from it.
Just this morning I was marveling at the bounty that my partner and I were able to enjoy this morning as we went for our morning walk with our 3 dogs. On the trails around our house we picked blackberries – we’ve been enjoying these for a couple of weeks now – and today’s haul was around a pound worth. From our own home we picked pears and apples from the 3 fruit trees we own. This morning’s breakfast consisted of a tasty yogurt, fruit and nut mix I made for us out of these items and we’ll be sharing our items with neighbors too.
Speaking of neighbors, we have a lovely elderly woman next to us who is growing tomatoes and hot peppers. It’s funny because she grows tomatoes every year, but she doesn’t eat them. She tells me that she likes to just have something growing and these are easy for her to do. One caveat she has for using them though is her “cha cha” that she makes which utilizes green tomatoes in the mix of goodies in this hot, tasty treat for the mouth. Think kimchi and you’ll get an idea of what it is.
Anyway, back to the NWFG show….
Here is an excerpt from the press release sent out today:
SUSTAINABLE GARDENING TAKES CENTER STAGE ATNORTH AMERICA’S THIRD LARGEST FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW Organizers of Northwest Flower & Garden Show Reveal Theme for 2009 Event
SEATTLE – Salmon Bay Events, organizers of North America’s third largest flower and garden show, today announced initial details on the 2009 Northwest Flower & Garden Show including the show’s theme – “Sustainable Spaces. Beautiful Places.” “Next year’s show will place a major focus on gardening materials and techniques that are good for the environment,” said Duane Kelly, chairman and founder of the annual event, now in its twenty-first year. “Show goers can expect to come away with a number of great ideas that conserve resources such as water and soil while, at the same time, making their gardens more self-sustaining and easier to care for.”
During the past year, organic gardening and vegetable gardening have grown in popularity thanks to the public’s keen interest in doing what’s best for the environment. The movement has also gained traction with consumers seeking homegrown fruits and vegetables that not only taste better but reduce ever increasing grocery bills. The annual event, which will span a total of six acres, showcases 25 full-scale gardens and offers over 120 free seminars for both veteran and aspiring gardeners looking for ideas and information on how to reinvigorate any outdoor living space. This year, full-scale gardens will focus on a greener future, featuring the elements of a sustainable lifestyle including native plants, organic vegetable gardens, creative recycling and composting.
WHAT: 2009 Northwest Flower & Garden Show www.gardenshow.com WHEN: February 18 – 22, 2009
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. WHERE: Washington State Convention and Trade Center7th & Pike Seattle, Washington
Because of my blogging, I guess I’m now also considered part of the press covering their events (I’ve written about NWFGS for a couple of years at least in various online venues) and I may actually contact them to ask some questions. Do any of you out in the public have any you’d like me to get answered for you? I’m personally interested in hearing how they might be highlighting not just soil, plant, and watering techniques but also products that can be used to retrofit houses that want to recapture roof water, preventing run off, grey-water retrofits, creating a bug free or beneficial bug friendly retention pond on site to filter run off, pervious surface options, and more.
There are some new construction developers that utilize a lot of these methods, such as Martha Rose Construction, and sometimes you’ll see these kinds of custom projects in magazines like Dwell, but I’d like to see how a current homeowner can reduce, reuse and recycle too.
