There was for the first time ever here a .....how shall I call it? A gardening "fair", or "exposition"...a "show", as it were. A huge hall was rented for the event and info came on the internet with information over the event. Herer are a couple of foto's taken from a sort of balcony up above it all: It all took place in this one, great hall. There were simple classes and workshops (in side-rooms) on all manner of garden-related subjects. Things like pruning, plant diseases, bees and the garden, dealing with weeds, garden design and lots and lots more. In terms of the many stalls that folks had set up there, you found a selection of garden tools, seeds and bulbs, greenhouses, alternative gardening methods and info, garden furniture, pergola's, books/DVD's...the list goes on and on. I was there for 2/3rds of a day on the last day and was finally driven out by the organizers who just wanted to wrap it up and go home. Out in the entrance hall there were a hand full of unmanned stands of Internet companies. When we entered, we had all manner of paper info shoved into our hands. There were ticket drawings and free things like bags and potting soil made of coconut fibres. We went through about half of the stalls, then took a break for lunch (they had an ad hoc snack bar set up right in the middle of the floor space). My partner and I sat, ate and chatted about what we had seen. Once we had rested and finished the food, we returned to the stalls for about 40 minutes and then it was time to attend a class on beekeeping and bee information. Actually there was nothing new there, but it was interested to see how the presenters presented information for the general public about bees and how they could help the endangered insects. When the class had concluded, it was back to stalls for us. Boy, oh boy--I just looked and looked and looked. Naturally I had taken a mental "wish list" along and once the stalls had all been seen, it was time to go back through them again. I didn't want to get everything as I passed by the first time because I did not want to carry the weight all day long, and I wanted to talk to some of the stall holders. Earlier in the day, there just wasn't enough time for conversation because of all the visitors. As the crowd began to thin, the worn-out stand holders could relax and chat calmly with us, giving full attention. I came-away with quite a few seeds, a carrying bag which looked like a bandana, bulbs and a couple of apple trees. Those apple trees were a special sort; especially good for a lottie, because they grow in the form of an upright pole rather than the conventional form. The tree form is called, Malus domestica "sunlight". It is a sort of "mini tree". Ideal for the lottie, as I said. Well, the day was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see the new and old gardening things and hear new and old ideas. Permaculture is one of those philosophies or theories that received quite a few visitors. My partner and I had quite a long talk with those folks to get a feel for what this method was about. Many of their ideas we already were doing in our garden, other things were a bit far out for me. Interesting though. There is room in gardening for all ideas, I think. Oh, I meant to mention a certain type of crocus that I ran into. I needed some crocuses and snowbells (snowdrops?) for the bees as one of the first pollen and nectar sources of the early spring. I have the feeling that it is a bit of a misleading idea that they give on the packet. The pictures show very light blue flowers. I like light blue in the garden, and there are very few plants that have such a colour. Meconopsis, Salvia uliginosa and a few others. it caught my eye and the price was right...annnd I needed some crocuses, so I brought home a packet with 100 bulbs in it. After a search on the internet, my suspicions were confirmed--the light blue crocus doesn't actually exist. Well, it exists-- but only on the packet's foto (foto taken from the Internet).
Oh, that looks like a great place to wander, drool and dream. I found a photo of that crocus and it looks like in shade it has a blue tint but in sunlight it is a soft violet-pink as one website describes the color. It's a shame the company decided to change the color like that. Interesting apple tree, I have seen photos of the apples growing on it. Great idea for small spaces.
I would have worn out a pair of shoes walking around a show like that! Congrats on the new plants/trees for the lottie.
Oh, if only there were something like that around here! One or two of our garden catalogs offer "pillar" apple trees and pear trees. I've often wondered about them. Glad you had a great day at the Fair, and thank you for taking us on a tour with you!
WOW look at all those stalls!! I'd have thoroughly enjoyed wandering around drinking everything in. I'm glad you managed to make a few purchases while you were there but what a pity those crocus aren't actually that beautiful blue. You must let us know how the apple trees grow for you and what amount of fruit they produce.
I love garden fairs. I have two close enough to go to each spring. I try to go to only one because I can spend a lot of $$$.
Oh TONI--it was. Yes, it was too bad about the crocus business, but as I said--I suspected that it wasn't real. I used to see Amaryllis bulbs for sale on the floating flower market in Amsterdam. I knew it was a hoax and said that to some of the stall keepers. I did not like it that tourists were tricked. The vendors were finally forced to remove them from their stock. Thanks CHERYL--I did take some good walking shoes, because I knew that I would be doing a lot of walking and possible buying. Thanks MG--It was a great day. They are saying that there will be one next year as well. I can hardly wait. I wonder how those apple trees will do. They had some apples to taste there at the fair. The flavour was a little tart and a little sweet. It was a flavour that my partner and I could live with. EILEEN-- I will certainly let you know how those apple trees fare. The vendors claimed that they would produce apples next year. The crocuses--yeah, I know. Wow DONNA-- You are lucky to have two fairs near you. I'd be in heaven. hahaha.
Hi Sjoerd, Sounds like you had a great time at the gardening fair! The timing seems perfect, to be with all those garden enthusiasts to compare notes on the growing season. I would like such an event here. We do have several "shows" (one of which my company is involved in) that feature home improvements of all kinds, but I would love a gardener's fair and would love to win a bag of potting soil, or some supplies. Our university sponsors a huge plant sale in the spring, but it is limited to just plants...Not that that is a bad thing... I like your apple trees,I'm certain with your TLC, they will thrive!
LOL... maybe you can post the label next to the crocus corms? And then you can imagine them to be light blue? The perfect light blue flower I know and have is Tweedia caerulea. It's gorgeous.
Looks like lot of fun. We will have Winter Garden Fair in Feb. At local college Kirkwood .Went last year but didn't get to attend all the classes. Didn't get signed up early enough. Will do it. Dh going with me Taking lot of note and ask lot of :?: :?:
KAY--It was a good time for the reasons you said. I like plant sales. I´ll bet yours would be a big one with lots of opoportunities. Sorry to hear that you guys don´t have fairs like that, KK. You know, this one was the first one here....and your city is a sister city of the one in which I live....so who knows, someone may well organize one. That would be great. Hahaha.CALIN--you are a funny guy. Maybe I should do that though, I might be able to convince myself that they really ARE blue. That flowering climber that you mentioned is a lovely thing. I have not heard of that one before. I may have a look to see if it can grow here. Great hearing that you folks have such fairs there where you live. Good idea to take notes. Actually you ought to take notes BEFORE you go and see if you can fulfill your wish list. Yes, me too STRATS--....and I DID! hahaha. ±D
sjoerd, love that bandana handbag!!! i was wondering if the apple trees are like the ones here we call Espaliers? they are pole-like, but one works their branches into layers...example... http://www.vintagegardengal.com/2009/01/23/the-art-of-espalier-fruit-trees/ we have not tried them, yet, but find them fascinating. they say they grow well in containers.
The term "espalier" is used here too. It denotes a form, or growing style. But no, it is not an espalier form. It only grows straight up and one is supposed to remove any side branches that may form on the trunk or the lower grafted root stock. This type of apple tree is a slow grower and if the side branches are not removed, the tree will gain no height at all.
