Why go to a garden show?

[HeyWayne]

Our gardening/allotment society sometimes organises trips to gardens, and I obviously always see garden shows (events) advertised in various media. I've never been to either, and I don't quite understand the attraction, much the same as I don't now see the attraction of going to a car show over going to a dealership (I used to go all the time - to the car show that is, not a dealership).

Seems like a lot of faff to go to what I see (until proven otherwise) as a glorified garden centre type thing.

Your mission, should you chose to accept it - convince me that a garden show is a good thing to go to.

[jacob marley]

It all depends what floats your boat usally a flower and veg show so you can drool and think mine ain't that good .
It is a pretty safe place for kids but mind the dog's dog show usually tacked on to garden show .
And plenty of plants and seeds for sale and non competitive displays .
Last but not least do not forget the raffle that way they keep you there to see the prizes given out to draw the raffle as well have deep pockets and put zips on them....jacob

[piskieinboots]

sitting drinking Pimms at Hampton Court doesn't work for you? Stange lad

I have done Chelsea, several times (never again), I have done Hampton Court and will again - I have done several provisional ones and really enjoyed them, I am doing Malvern in May and know (in advance) that it is going to be well worth it.

Why should you go? If you have to ask it probably isn't for you

[Two_Sheds]

I love gardens, and plants ... but I hate crowds. Being small, I just get pushed and shoved around, trodden on (and I can't see over other people's heads). I avoid concerts for the same reason

I occasionally go to Open Gardens, but avoid peak times and holidays.

[rana]

I find garden shows a great day out. Nice to see new innovations and flower varieties. My friends and I also enjoy admiring or abusing garden designs and often having the chance to speak to the designer. It's certainly better than seeing the all too usual suspects in the local B&Q or garden centre.

[selfraising]

Went to my first one last year Hampton Court and loved it. Not too keen on crowds like TS but it wasn't too bad. I like to pluck ideas from various gardens and then customise it for my own. Plus a bit of retail therapy is always beneficial

[Pumpkin Becki]

I've never been to one of the big garden shows, but we do go to the Kent Garden Show at Detling every year.

We make sure we are one of the first there so its not too crowded or hot.
We usually have a list of things we want (we've been buying big specimin plants for both gardens over the last couple of years - bamboo, box clipped into balls that kind of thing).
We don't wander too much, coz that drives my OH potty, and we are usually on our way home again by lunchtime.

They are great places to see small local nurseries as well as wholesale ones 'under one roof as it were, that you wouldn't normally get the opportunity to visit.

I think they're great, but do get a bit fed up with all the dogs and kids, but thats coz I'm a grumpy old f**t, and so I go early to avoid them.

[Keith2202]

I'm going to Hampton Court this year, admittedly, primarily because I've got free tickets!

The gardens are sculpted with themes and the flowers displayed so they look their best and have a "Wow" factor.
About the show | Hampton Court Palace Flower Show | Royal Horticultural Society

I'm not expecting it to be like a glorified B&Q, I've certainly never seen a Trinidad & Tobago display in B&Q.
Presumably if they are selling plants they would have more variety than your bog standard shop too?

The chance to go in the maze and sit with our feet dangling in the lake supping a beer helps makes it more attractive too

[zazen999]

The show - excellent. Love getting a few plants to build up the stocks

The people - no thanks.

[starloc]

20 years ago i went to a model aeroplane show to look at the models, i deceided what a good idea ,i made glue and saw a way of selling it!, i went to them to sell glue almost one a week till last year.....Now its 2 or 3 a year as its got too much work!
I was going to go to a garden show last year but decided not to incase i start selling plants! ,
This year i am going to go to one at least to have a look!, i am going to try and not start selling plants!

With the model shows , someone going to oe major show i could understand, or someone going to there local show but when people travel all over the country every week to every show i cant understand it , they do though!

Is it like this with garden shows , the same show visitors go to every show?

[rana]

Hi Starloc

20 years ago i went to a model aeroplane show to look at the models, i deceided what a good idea ,i made glue and saw a way of selling it!, i went to them to sell glue almost one a week till last year

I didn't realise glue sniffing had suddenly gone out of fashion............

[Keith2202]

I saw a Gardener's World about roses last week. There were a couple of blokes growing competition roses and they were going to 2 or three shows a week, trying to win best in show rosettes. (I didn't get the impression they were earning money from it, could be wrong though) so you do get people going to loads.

Same with anything I suppose they are always super-enthusiasts!

[HeyWayne]

So, nobody going to offer to hold me hand and show me the way?

[selfraising]

So, nobody going to offer to hold me hand and show me the way?

Well I would hold your hand heywayne but my arm just aint long enough

[jacob marley]

So, nobody going to offer to hold me hand and show me the way?

Perhaps you can persuade crossdressing Paul to take you by the hand....jacob