Gardenscape Celebrates 100 years of growing

source: Farm and Food Report

It is not hard to imagine the variety of seeds and seedlings tucked away in new settlers’ luggage as they journeyed toward their new home quarter across Saskatchewan a century ago. Many of these plants from the old world have evolved into our garden varieties of today, thanks to the painstaking selection efforts of breeders.

This year, Gardenscape wishes to celebrate homegrown traditions around horticulture. Susan Kuzma of Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park is the Event Coordinator.

“Thanks to our partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s Extension Division, garden designers will explore themes like 100 Years of Reflection; Prairie Sunset Garden; 100 Years of Growing Celebrate Saskatchewan; Good Neighbours Garden; The Bug Bed; Fantasy Fun Children's Centennial Garden; and The English Garden,” Kuzma says. “As people walk into the show, their senses will come alive. They will be able to smell all the plants; the tulips and spring bulbs that are brought indoors.”

Started in 1990, Gardenscape is the first show of its kind in Western Canada. It is a showcase for the horticulture industry and outdoor lifestyles — the source of countless ideas to spruce up your yard or get the latest information on gardening and food production. In its most basic expression, Gardenscape is the place to find out about the latest specialty flower and vegetable seeds.

“There is really something for anyone interested in outdoor living at Gardenscape, with its 330 booths, over 120,000 square feet of displays, exhibits and competitions,” Kuzma says. “We also have two theatres with hands-on demonstrations and speakers running on the hour. The diversity of plant varieties that is now available for us to grow in Saskatchewan is amazing.”

Gardenscape is based on the premise that Saskatchewan residents really enjoy their yard during our short growing season. In an effort to turn our yards into the best possible and most satisfying environment, people spend time looking at the ways in which they can make these outdoor living spaces as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

To help them achieve that, a few experts have been invited to share slices of wisdom.

If you somehow missed her on the award-winning garden show Bugs and Blooms on HGTV and around the world, you can catch Donna Balzer in person at Gardenscape 2005.

A professional agrologist and certified landscape designer, Balzer's work has been featured in Garden Life and Garden How To magazines. Nine years as resident horticulturalist for the Calgary Zoo's Botanical Garden and two years as a horticulture instructor at Olds College have added to her reputation as a true master in her field.

Another such expert is June Flanagan. Shehas been lecturing to the general public and special interest groups since 1987, when she was a botanist at a large botanical garden in Arizona. Flanagan speaks about plants of the prairies, as well as those of the southwest deserts, mountains, eastern forests, and cultivated plants.

The show organizers expect that about 22,000 people will come to the doors at Prairieland Park between April 1st and 3rd.

“One of the main events is our plant auction on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Gardenscape goes out with a bang when the two semi truck loads of plants that are brought in from British Columbia and others grown locally for the show are offered to the highest bidder for their personal enjoyment.”

For more information on Gardenscape 2005, visit: http://www.saskatoonex.com

For more information, contact:
Susan Kuzma
Prairieland Park
(306) 931-7149

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