University of Wisconsin - Extension

The three-day 13th annual Garden Expo takes place Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday, Feb. 12. Wisconsin Public Television (WPT), Friends of WHA-TV and UW-Extension-Cooperative Extension Horticulture Team are hosting Garden Expo that is held in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison.

Event hours are: 4-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11; and10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.

The Garden Expo is a community educational event and fund-raiser based on WPT's popular monthly program, The Wisconsin Gardener. The event is supported by the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association. Proceeds benefit WPT's quality broadcasting and community outreach events. The smells and sights of spring will issue from the 1,200-square-foot oasis in the middle of the hall. Smaller gardens that are part of the more than 200 exhibitor booths also dot the hall.

Those interested in day lilies, rock gardens or composting will find like-minded peers, as well as numerous public gardens and garden-related groups who will make their way to Garden Expo. The always-popular Garden Expo raffle again returns. Tickets can be purchased at the WPT booth at the event.

Shelley Ryan, producer and host of The Wisconsin Garden will log a number of hours at the WPT booth throughout the weekend. Stop by and talk with her, or with other WPT producers who will be in attendance to talk about their work in history, current events or educational projects.

Hands-on workshops again are available for Expo-goers eager to express their own gardening creativity making special take-home items. These workshops require an additional fee.

At no additional fee, Garden Expo visitors can take in hour upon hour of lectures. In all, more than 100 lectures will be offered throughout the weekend and they all draw upon the talent and knowledge of the state's leading professionals in topics such as rain gardens, herbs and hostas.

Admission costs for the Garden Expo itself are: one-day pass - $6 in advance/$7 at the door and a two-day pass - $10 in advance or at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted at no cost. Admission does not include a parking fee.

For more information, check wpt.org/gardenexpo or call (800) 253-1158. WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.