10 Tips for Making the Most Out of Garden Shows

February 24th, 2015

Garden-show-touring can be tiring, taxing and sometimes a tad bewildering – especially in the case of cavernous, cattle-herd shows such as the 10-acre Philadelphia Flower Show.

Garden shows can be tiring, so plan your day to make the most of your energy.

Five gardening and landscape-related shows happen late this month into next within day-trip range of Harrisburg (see the list below).

If you’re going to any/all, I thought you might make use of some tips on how to maximize your time and energy. Here are 10:

1.) Pick your spots. Weekend days are typically the busiest, especially Saturdays. Weekdays are generally a little less crowded, and crowds start to thin around 4 p.m.    At a big show like Philly, you may be able to see and do as much between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. as in twice that time during midday hours.

2.) Watch for discounts. Most shows offer discounts for tickets bought in advance. Some have special pricing deals, such as the Pennsylvania Garden Expo’s Senior Day $5-off discount or the Pennsylvania Garden Show of York’s $15 package price for all three show days. The Philadelphia Flower Show gives free admission to members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the show’s sponsor.

3.) Check the schedule. The speaker, demo and event lineups change daily, so pick your day and time to be there for any of particular interest to you. All shows post their schedules on their websites in advance. The Philadelphia Flower Show has an app that’s handy both for planning and for navigating the show floor.

 4.) Footwear for the occasion. I never wear heels to start with, but it puzzles me when I see women show up at garden shows in them. The floors are hard and concrete – and sometimes uneven over mulch or landscape pavers. You’ll be on your feet for hours. Be kind to them. Wear comfortable and safe footwear. 

 5.) Outerwear strategy. It’s usually cold outside during show time, so you’ll probably need a coat to get there. Once inside, shows are usually cool. Wearing or carrying a heavy coat all show is a burden you can ease by checking your coat (either free or a couple of dollars at most). A sweater or light jacket is all you’ll need for maneuvering inside.

6.) Make a shopping list. All of the shows have either extensive marketplaces (Pennsylvania Garden Expo, Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania Garden Show of York) or at least booths where you can buy a few things or hire service contractors.

Show marketplaces can be enticing, so make a list if you’re on a budget.

It’s easy to get caught up in the marketing bling and pitches, only to end up with a bag full of widgets you’ll never use. A list of specifics will help you stay on budget and make the most efficient use of time. Then if you have the time (and money) to browse, do that after you’ve accomplished your main missions.

 7.) Use the map. All of the shows offer maps and directories to help you know – and locate – who’s at the show.

Some people like to “freestyle” and just wander through everything. Go for it if that’s your style.

But if you have limited time or energy or are looking for a particular product or a particular service, take a few minutes first thing to plan your stops. That way, if you can’t do everything, you’ll at least have been to your top priorities.

The websites of most shows have either online maps or at least exhibitor directories to help you plan before you leave home.

 8.) What to take? Whether you’re an old-fashioned notebook-and-pencil person or an Iphone voice-memo-er, you’ll likely run into a few things you’ll want to record for later… maybe the name of an interesting plant, the website of a potential landscape contractor or even the phone number of a new gardening friend you’ve made.

Also take measurements and photos if you’re going to talk ideas with a potential landscaper, designer or hardscaper. One or more vendors usually provide bags (adorned with their logos, of course), but it wouldn’t hurt to take your own backpack or more sturdy/comfortable carrying device.

And if your phone isn’t also your camera, take your camera.

9.) Think like the crowd and do the opposite. First, allow plenty of time. Two to 3 hours is the bare minimum for all shows, and all day probably isn’t enough for most at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

When you get there, see where the bulk of the people are going, then go somewhere else to make the most of your time. Most people tend to go right instead of left and work their way from front to back. You could go left and start at the back, working your way front.

Avoid the most popular features at peak times and either hit them first thing before it gets too crowded or come back later when the crowds thin and move to less popular features.

At the Philadelphia Flower Show, for example, everyone wants to see the main gardens first. Then they move into the show-floor’s middle to the smaller gardens and amateur horticultural competition, then they finish at the far left in the marketplace.

A good strategy is to start in the middle and/or shop first. Then head over to the main gardens later, especially from 4 p.m. on. If you don’t want to carry things around after shopping first, many vendors will hold your items. Or you could scope out what you want, then swoop back near the end of the day to pick up and pay for everything you picked out earlier.

10.) The all-important food and bathroom questions. All of the shows have food concessions on site, but they tend to range from fair to poor. You could plan to eat before and/or after off-site and rely on packed snacks (granola bars, trail mix, etc.) and a water bottle to get you through the show.

Another option is to get your hand stamped to go out and eat midway through your visit, then return later.  Even the Philadelphia Flower Show now lets you do that, and there are plenty of dining options within walking distance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Reading Terminal Market next door, Chinatown within blocks, numerous sit-downs within a 5-block radius).

As for restrooms, they’re at least adequate if not plentiful at all of the venues. Your show map will help you locate them.

Here’s the 2015 lineup of shows within day-trip range of Harrisburg:

Pennsylvania Garden Expo, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. Fri., Feb. 27, Sat., Feb. 28, and Sun., March 1.

Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia. Feb. 28 to March 8.  I’m leading five bus trips there (the best way to get to this show). See George’s Talks and Trips page for details.

Maryland Home and Garden Show, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Md. Feb. 28-March 1 and March 6-8.

Pennsylvania Garden Show of York, York Expo Center’s Memorial Hall, York. March 6, 7 and 8.

Pennsylvania Home Show, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. March 19-22.