Buzz before the show

There’s just 4 days to go to Southport Flower Show and I can’t wait!As a garden designer there’s part of me that can’t help wishing I was doing a garden at this year’s show. But then commonsense kicks in and reminds me I’ve enough on my plate with this show, judging the student design competition, organising the speakers for the Grand Floral Marquee - oh and preparing my talk ‘Creating successful flower borders’…as well as my day job designing gardens and giving horticultural advice.This year’s show garden designers and landscapers are working flat out now. Once the building work started many locals (including me – I admit it!) made regular detours past Victoria park to see how things are progressing. During ‘Build up’ the whole mood of the site is dictated by the weather so today’s sunshine is most welcome. It’s great to see old hands helping newcomers with loans of boys toys or tips on where to get vital supplies and receiving mugs of tea and choccy biscuits as thanks. One of the great sights is Keith driving round on his JCB quietly and efficiently squeezing through impossibly small gaps between white vans without ever so much as a scratch.Every year I’m surprised at how tiny plots chalked out on the ground seem to grow in size as they’re built into gardens and stands. Now that the marquees are up the nurseries and sundries sellers are beginning to arrive. The night before the show opens, the florists will arrive. They leave it to the last minute, keen to keep their blooms really fresh.All shows usually have a last minute panic – usually too much or not enough water or electricity but the team behind the scenes work steadily and (if required) through the night so everything is as pristine and perfect as it can be for opening day.There’s such a buzz on the first day of the show as everyone catches up with old friends and new ideas. Many exhibitors arrive very early - the perfect time to get a sneak pre-view of the floral displays and completed show gardens. Not to mention be tempted by the scent of hot coffee and bacon butties. I might need one or two to keep me going – especially when I’m doing the Q&A session on the bandstand the weekend. If you’re going to the show do come and say hello.Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday 19-22nd August 2010
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Billybop replied to Richard Farley's discussion Nature Loving Customers !!!
"to be fair, if they were unaware of what Slow Worms are, from the name alone, they might sound like a pest, like some outdoor type of tape worm"
10 hours ago
Honey Badger replied to Richard Farley's discussion Nature Loving Customers !!!
"By breaking the laws on protected species."
11 hours ago
Dan Fish is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
11 hours ago
Richard Farley posted a discussion
Had a brief chat with a once a year customer , where I just cut his knee length grass down . I happened to mention the abundance of wildlife in his garden , and that last year I saw some slow worms basking in the sun.He looked at me and replied " Oh…
13 hours ago
David Benson replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"no expert on this but the safty switch on the seat will not allow any power to the starter unless you are sat on it or bypast. Ihave come accross other switches on the deck if ther is a removable flap 
is the earth on the starter ok "
yesterday
David Benson replied to Peter sellers's discussion Compost survey
"i have used clover multi purpos which has some peat in it no lumps or rubbish in it. 3 bags today for potting and seeds did not come accross anything i had to chuck out "
yesterday
Neil brown posted a discussion
Hi Everyone Does anybody use project completion forms for customer's to sign at completion to say they are satisfied with the outcome to avoid payment issues when sending the final invoice Thanks in Advance Neil 
yesterday
Billybop replied to Brian's Garden Maintenance's discussion Clients contracts for wet Grass cutting
"hi Brian, the charge would essentially be doubled. Tripled even. Or something close to that. Depending on when I would be available to return. Especially on the big gardens which are not easy to reschedule. So there is no incentive for the customer…"
yesterday
Brian's Garden Maintenance replied to Brian's Garden Maintenance's discussion Clients contracts for wet Grass cutting
"Thank you, Adam, for your replay
That is a great help. if you don't mind me asking. How much would you charge for the nock back what sort of a percentage do add on extra for the second visit, please?
 "
yesterday
Brian's Garden Maintenance replied to Brian's Garden Maintenance's discussion Clients contracts for wet Grass cutting
"Adam One of my clients I do need water wings on the lawnmower it is that wet! LOL Luck I got a 4 wheel lawnmower!
 "
yesterday
Brian's Garden Maintenance replied to Brian's Garden Maintenance's discussion Clients contracts for wet Grass cutting
"Thank you, Billybop for your reply.
Yes, there are domestic types! If you don't mind me asking. How much percentage do you charge extra for the second visit, please?
 "
yesterday
Andrew replied to Peter sellers's discussion Compost survey
"I agree that the quality of compost, PARTICULARLY peat-free p.compost is appalling.I find sticks,bits of plastic/stones,string etc in these 'environmentally' friendly brands.Basically, we're in wild west country now where any old tom,dick and harry…"
yesterday
Henry replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"I did wonder that but it's not getting 12v at all on the trigger wire, so I don't think it's being "asked" to energise "
yesterday
Henry replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"That's really helpful, although I haven't replaced my loom it does sound like a very similar issue and gives me a few things to try "
yesterday
Henry replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"I have used that lever to be fair, I have put it back to the normal position but I have to admit I haven't checked it for potential switch failure "
yesterday
Ian Harvey replied to Henry's discussion Etesia Hydro 80 failing to start
"Can't find the MHHP manual online, but the other Etesia mowers have an engine bypass lever, to allow the mower to be pushed etc. If you operated this lever prior to winter storage, you'll need to put it back to normal position. "
yesterday
More…

Nature Loving Customers !!!

Had a brief chat with a once a year customer , where I just cut his knee length grass down . I happened to mention the abundance of wildlife in his garden , and that last year I saw some slow worms basking in the sun.He looked at me and replied " Oh…

Read more…
2 Replies · Reply by Billybop 10 hours ago
Views: 59