It's show time
It's a good week to take in a Home and Garden show, with a pair of shows to pick from.
Meander the aisles of the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show for the latest products and ideas pitched by more than 1,000 experts and vendors during the show's five-day run starting Wednesday.
Tour the "Active Living Idea Home" for inspiration, or enjoy a taste of spring in nine feature gardens with the theme of Twin Cities' Best Backyards. You'll see Ty Pennington and other home gurus on the stage circuit.
New features this year include a Spring Boutique with 36 booths selling home decor, garden art, pottery and gifts. Also new this year are "upcycle designer rooms," where interior designer Carter Averbeck works with local artists to create decor pieces from unlikely sources. (Think a chandelier made from cheese graters.)
Those looking for bargains know to wait for the end: The annual plant sale starts after 5 p.m. Sunday, a buying frenzy of customers looking for bargains from landscapers.
Hours are noon-9 p.m. Wed.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thu.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun., March 1. $4-$13. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Av. S., Mpls.
At the north end of the metro, you can catch the free North Metro Home & Garden Show on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Sports Center's Sport Expo Center in Blaine. The show, sponsored by the cities of Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View, highlights local specialists offering inspiration for remodeling or improving your home and yard. Seminars include 2015 Color Trends, Weird Weather Lawn Care, and two hands-on workshops on painting and installing tile.
Boy Scout Troop 167-Fridley will help out at the Kids Activity Center, where craft projects include making pine-cone bird feeders.
