Gardening gurus from across Australia are set to put their best shovel forward when they head to the Sunshine Coast to share their tricks of the trade in the country’s biggest gardening speaker program at the Queensland Garden Expo this July.

In a coup for Queenslanders, this week’s program launch includes landscape architect and media personality, Costa Georgiadis who will make his first return to the iconic annual event since 2018.

The crowd favourite was announced in this week’s program launch and said he was delighted to return to the Expo after narrowly missing last year’s event due to a Covid-related lockdown in Sydney.

“I can’t wait to get back to the beautiful Sunshine Coast to attend one of my hands-down favourite events on the annual calendar,” Mr Georgiadis said.

“I’ll be chatting about a range of things this year, including what’s been happening in the gardening world since we last Expo’d together – and I can tell you, there have been a lot more people getting into their gardens in recent years!

“I’ll also have the kids entertained with Costa the Garden Gnome doing some nature walks and nature gallery art as well as my Rocking the Compost activity that is always a firm favourite with the little green thumbs who turn out in their droves.

“There is a reason this event attracts gardeners from across the country as it gives everyone from absolute novices to gardeners with years of experience direct access to some of the best gardening minds in the land. I can’t wait to be there with my fellow Gardening Australia presenters Sophie Thomson, Millie Ross, Jerry Coleby-Williams and more than 40 other amazing speakers.”

Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager Marion Beazley agreed the program of speakers had something for everyone and said she was excited to welcome Expo newcomers Millie Ross and Better Homes and Gardens presenter, Melissa King in 2022.

“Melissa and Millie are new to our speaker line-up this year and we can’t wait to have them join the Queensland Garden Expo family,” Ms Beazley said.

“The breadth of the information available at the Expo has been a big part of attracting new visitors and speakers to the three-day event. Guests will truly be spoilt for choice with the diverse range of expertise this impressive line-up offers including Expo favourites Claire Bickle, Dr Kevin Redd and Phil Dudman – just to name a few.”

Thrifty Gardener and ABC Gardening Australia presenter Millie Ross said she is looking forward to making her debut at the Queensland Garden Expo, after she was set to attend last year’s event, and then unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“This will officially be my first time at the Queensland Garden Expo which everyone raves about, including the visiting gardeners and presenters,” Ms Ross said.

“I am so looking forward to meeting some of the very best plant growers in the country and all of those passionate plant people who come to the event.

“I really want people to have a great time when they attend my talks and to get the message across that you don’t need anything in particular to start gardening — you can simply have a crack!

“I’m not a local plant expert – I’ll leave that to all the specialists there – so instead I hope to encourage a little experimentation and creativity in punters. I’ll be touching on everything from how to grow more food for less, through to innovative garden ideas from around the world.”

The Queensland Garden Expo program launches this week and is jam packed with guest speakers, more than 360 exhibitors, including 55 nurseries, as well as plenty of activities including a free kids playground.

“Whether you’re interested in callistemon or camellias, grevilleas or geraniums, fuchsias or ferns, or roses or rhododendrons you will find something you simply must have, as well as some rare and unusual species for sale as well,” Ms Beazley said.

The Queensland Garden Expo will take place at the Nambour Showgrounds from 8-10 July with 60,000 plants on sale each day and plenty of activities for all ages to experience over seven hectares. Tickets are $20 for adults, while children 15 and under are free.

To find out more and purchase tickets online, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.

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FAST FACTS
• Three-day event from 8-10 July
• 40,000-plus attendees
• 65% visitation from outside the Sunshine Coast
• More than 7 hectares of gardening inspiration
• 360-plus exhibitors and displays, including 55 nurseries
• 100-plus free lectures and demonstrations
• 8 live speaker stages
• 60,000 plants for sale each day
• More than $10m injected into the local economy