Northwest Flower & Garden Show offers programs for young novices to longtime gardeners

If you attend the Arbor Eden gala benefit for the Arboretum Tuesday at the Washington Convention Center you will be among the first to view the spectacular demonstration gardens at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, which opens the next day. Besides previewing the gardens, you'll enjoy fine wine, delicious food and a silent auction full of great deals.

This year, in honor of the Arboretum Foundation's 75th Anniversary, the party will have a 1930s flavor. You're encouraged to dress in 1930s garb, and you might want to don your dancing shoes as well. It'll be impossible to sit still once Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators start in on lively swing-era jazz numbers! Tickets range from $100 to $500, and proceeds benefit the Washington Park Arboretum. Visit www.arboretumfoundation.org and click on the "2010 Arbor Eden Preview Gala" link for information.

Event for young gardeners

Looking for something really special to do with your kids? Bring them to the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. On Feb. 6 and 7 there's a slew of fun talks and activities for budding gardeners.

In the Sproutopia section of the show, kids can attend entertaining talks to learn all about cool things like bats, bugs, slugs and other creepy crawlers.

Make sure your little ones don't miss the award-winning performance of "Wormhole," where they can sing and dance along with Judith Jones (aka "Madam Fern") and her zany cast. While in Sproutopia, pick up a form to take part in the treasure hunt. Youngsters win a special prize if they can spot the mystery items hidden in each of the show's display gardens.

An exciting addition to the show this year is a huge butterfly house where families can take fun-filled tours to learn all about these beautiful creatures. Of course, after all that fun, parents will need a break in order to do some serious shopping. No problem! Just drop your little larvae off at the free child care offered by the show. The kids will have fun playing with new friends while mom and dad shop-till-they-drop!

Learn from the experts

If you want to learn about gardening, there's no better place than the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. This year the show will offer 120 seminars, free with the price of admission to the show. According to my research, that's more seminars than any other show of its kind in the world!

There are seminars for gardeners of all skill levels from beginner to expert. Many of the talks feature hands-on demonstrations where you'll learn everything from how to prune fruit trees, grow great veggies from seed, and even how to use yoga to prevent gardening injuries.

In addition, many of the folks speaking at the show are well-known authors, and you'll be able to meet them and buy their books at signings immediately following their talks.

You can guarantee yourself a seat at any seminar by picking up a seminar pass, available two hours before each program starts, at the Seminar Pass Booth in the fourth floor north lobby. If it's a popular talk, don't get carried away buying orchids: You need to return to the conference room 15 minutes before the talk begins or you lose your seat. By the way, don't miss my talks on Feb. 5 and 6. The show (and seminars) runs from Wednesday through Feb. 7. Additional information including talk schedule is at www.gardenshow.com.

Ciscoe Morris: ciscoe@ciscoe.com. "Gardening with Ciscoe" airs at 10 a.m. Saturdays on KING-TV.