Let the countdown begin – it’s almost Expo time!
July 1, 2013
The countdown is on as over 33,000 gardening enthusiasts prepare to unite for the 29th Queensland Garden Expo which kicks off at the Nambour Showgrounds this Friday.
With over 40,000 plants on sale daily and around 360 exhibitors showing their wares, the three-day event once again promises to attract visitors from across Australia and New Zealand.
One of the highlights is the speaker program which includes the “cream-of-the-crop” in gardening experts who will present over 130 lectures and demonstrations across eight live stages.
Marion Beazley, Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager says the speakers will cover an array of topics including crops to grow when space is limited, easy fruit to grow at home, composting and worm farms, organic gardening, attracting native wildlife and much more.
“Every year we say we will strive to improve and expand our speakers program and this year is no different. I’m confident the Expo can answer every gardening question to help visitors create their perfect outdoor space, grow their own fruit and vegetables and select the ideal plants for their specific environment,” Ms Beazley said.
The very popular Costa Georgiadis, host of ABC Gardening Australia will make a number of appearances at the event and will take centre stage on Saturday at 11am to discuss ‘Busting boundaries: Looking beyond the backyard and balcony for creative ways to build community’.
“This year we also have Angus Stewart from Gardening Australia as a new speaker and we anticipate his presentations will attract the crowds given his popularity,” Ms Beazley said.
“Angus will share his vast knowledge of Australian native plants which has become an increasingly popular topic over the years. People are far more educated on the benefits of having native plants in their gardens.”
Other speakers include ABC Radio Host Annette McFarlane; Garden Guru Phil Dudman, Brisbane Botanical Gardens Curator, Ross McKinnon and 4BC Gardening Talkback host, Clair Levander to name but a few.
“As usual the Expo falls in the school holidays and we have certainly catered to keeping the young ones involved and interested in the garden. The kids can learn about insects, spiders and scorpions from around the world, meet the local wildlife, explore toolkits to encourage kids to get involved in gardening and learn more about keeping chickens at home,” said Ms Beazley.
The Colin Campbell Garden Shed Auction will be a highlight where visitors will have the opportunity to bid on some of gardening legend Colin’s favourite gardening tools with the proceeds of the auction to go to assist a gardening project that will be selected through an application process.
The Giant Kitchen Garden, the children’s playground and the multitude of food stalls and entertainers are all a part of the Garden Expo experience. With some of the country’s most knowledgeable experts on hand and an exceptional range of exhibitors to meet your every need, it is no wonder visitor number grow from year to year.
“We are proud to offer our visitors something new every year to meet their ever-changing gardening needs,” said Ms Beazley.
The Queensland Garden Expo is held at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour. For more information please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
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EXPO EXTRAS
Garden expert prepares for a diverse range of questions at Plant Clinic
There will be the inevitable questions about black spots on roses and lumps on lemons. But with the Queensland Garden Expo attracting an increasingly diverse audience each year, Annette McFarlane predicts that queries about herbs and vegetables will top the list of frequently asked questions at this week’s Expo.
According to Annette, ‘A new generation of gardeners have caught the gardening bug. They are young people setting themselves up in their first share house and families with young children. They want to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers. They want fruit trees and chickens. They are not interested is spraying chemicals for weeds or nuking insects with pesticides. They want to know about biodiversity, attracting bees and beneficial insects and working with nature. They are looking for quick tips on building sustainable gardens and growing edible plants.’
Questions Annette McFarlane expects to answer at this year’s Expo include:
How do I grow my own ginger, galangal and turmeric?
All these plants are grown from the rhizome sections that you buy to eat, but nurseries also sell these plants in pots. You can plant them at any time of year. They will grow over the spring and summer and will be ready to harvest in autumn and winter.
Why does my coriander go to seed so quickly?
Now is the perfect time to sow coriander seed or plant seedlings. Plant now while it is cool, ensure the soil is fertile soil and water it regularly.
How do I keep possums from eating my parsley?
Possums love parsley. A physical covering like soft mosquito netting is a good deterrent.
Where can I get the types of rocket I find served in restaurants? It seems different to the plants I buy.
There are around 30 different types of rocket. If you want to try a few types at once, seedling producers have recently released a punnet with four of the most popular varieties in the one pack.
How can I control caterpillars on my herbs and vegetables organically?
Take 1-2 tablespoons of molasses and add it to one litre of warm water. Add a few drops of any liquid soap (to help it stick when applied). Apply with a spray bottle or watering can and repeat as often as required.
Annette McFarlane will be presenting talks and answering questions at the Expo on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July. You are invited to bring along your list of questions and even a soil sample. A team of experts from the Horticultural Media Association will be on hand at the Plant Clinic.
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Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
More details
Where
Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
When
Friday, 5 July, 2013
Saturday, 6 July, 2013
Sunday, 7 July, 2013
Opening Times
Gates Open: 8:00am Daily
Gates Close: 5:00pm Friday and Saturday, 4:00pm Sunday
Disability Access
The showground offers excellent facilities for wheelchair visitors with on-site disabled parking, easy access and ground level exhibits along with disabled toilet facilities. Guide dogs are welcome.
Tickets
Adults: $16
Aged concession card holders: $14
Groups (10 or more): $14
Children (15 and under with accompanying adult): Free
2-day Pass (Saturday & Sunday) – Adults: $28
3-day Gold Entry Pass: $35
The Queensland Garden Expo is proudly supported by
Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland
Tourism and Events Queensland
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Sunshine Coast Council
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