Final Northwest Flower & Garden Show Opens Today

After a massively successful 21-year run, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show--the third largest flower and garden show in North America--is calling it quits.

"My wife Alice and I have decided that this year's event will be our last as organizers and we are pulling out all of the stops to make it the best on record. We've enjoyed every minute of the past 21 years but are ready to pursue some other passions," said Duane Kelly, chairman of Salmon Bay Events. Kelly had hoped to find a buyer for the event who could guarantee the current "level of quality," but has been unsuccessful to date.

The theme of this year's show is "Sustainable Spaces. Beautiful Places." It will span a whopping six acres and feature twenty-six display gardens, many of them showcasing exciting examples of sustainable gardening.

We're not big-time gardeners, personally (though Mrs. Seattlest is), but that has never deterred us from attending this show. Grabbing a coffee somewhere beforehand and then walking around, checking out these inspiring display gardens--it's a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Afterward, we may never actually get around to putting our ideas to the dirt, but hey, we can dream.

It can be a bit exhausting, trying to see everything in one shot. We suggest taking a meal break at some point. Either hit up the Convention Center's cafeteria or leave the center altogether and then come back. You'll feel refreshed and less likely to have a meltdown when deciding which heirloom tomato seeds to purchase.

February 18-22, 2009
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The cost of admission, which includes entrance to gardening seminars, is: $20 for adults; $9 for students 25 and under with valid student I.D.; $4 for kids ages 6-17; and free for children under 5

Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 7th & Pike, Seattle