(02/19/18) NEW ORLEANS — The 39th annual New Orleans Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden April 7-8 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

“This show is a celebration of all things horticultural,” said LSU AgCenter horticulturalist in Orleans Parish Joe Willis. “It’s where new gardeners can come to learn what, when, where and how, and where experienced gardeners can come to learn how to hone their skills.”

It brings together in one location a multitude of vendors showcasing wares related to gardening and landscapes — from plants to pottery and from tools to furniture, Willis said.

There are also experts from the LSU AgCenter waiting to answer your questions on lawns, weeds, plant diseases, vegetables and Louisiana Super Plants. That’s in addition to the experienced advice each of the vendors is happy to offer.

“But it’s not just an event for buying and selling,” Willis said. “New this year, the Federated Council of New Orleans Garden Clubs will be holding their flower show in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters.”

The beautiful displays are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Just the flower show itself is worth the visit, he said.

Educational booths also will be set up by a number of garden and plant clubs. “Perhaps you will find one to join that fits your passion,” he said.

There are lectures daily by gardening and landscaping experts, said AgCenter horticulturalist Anna Timmerman in Jefferson Parish. “You can check out the topics and see if one piques your interest,” she said.

A variety of speakers and topics are lined up, including the ever-popular Dan Gill, who will be highlighting the AgCenter Super Plant program, including the newly announced selections, she said.

Some of the topics to be discussed include: The Dirt on Container Gardening, The Louisiana Urban Garden and Saving our Monarch Butterflies.

Projects and plants that home gardeners can use to create beautiful, sustainable urban gardens in the area will be highlighted. “Several of our presenters also will be offering their books and publications for sale and will be there to autograph them as well,” Timmerman said.

A Kids’ Discovery Area will be staffed by AgCenter 4-H specialists, giving children a fun place to burn a little energy while learning about horticulture.

Live bands will be performing daily from Dixieland jazz to violin and bass along with live cooking demonstrations by local chefs, also new this year.

Unique birdhouse creations and designs will be on display, and there will be opportunities to win free plants.

“All-In-all, the New Orleans Spring Garden Show is a fun family-friendly event for all ages,” Willis said.

“You may pick up a few new ideas on cooking or gardening and enjoy the artistic creations at the flower show,” Timmerman said. “It’s a great way to spend the day, and you might find a few bargains to boot.”

Admission to the garden show is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 and members of Friends of City Park may enter for free.

For additional information about the show, contact Willis at 504-483-9471 or Timmerman at 504-736-6519.

The New Orleans Spring Garden Show is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter in cooperation with the Metro Area Horticulture Foundation and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.

LSU AgCenter horticulturalist Dan Gill sharing his gardening expertise during a recent New Orleans Spring Garden Show. Gill will be one of the featured speakers at this year’s show, which will be held on April 7-8 at the New Orleans City Park Botanical Garden. Photo by Johnny Morgan/LSU AgCenter