Gardenscape: Your ticket to spring

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When the fresh scent of flowers and dirt hits your senses, you know you’ve arrived at Gardenscape. Now in its 36th year, the annual backyard living show is once again taking over Prairieland Park this weekend.

This year’s Gardenscape will be a farewell of sorts for Susan Kuzma, manager of signature events at Prairieland Park, as she will retire next month after 44 years with the organization. She remembers for the first Gardenscape in 1990, no one knew if it would succeed. Decades later, this local “backyard living show” has evolved to become one of Canada’s premier lifestyle and horticulture shows. 

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Even as trends come and go, education remains a major part of the show’s mission. The focus this year will be on growing a healthier sustainable community, sustainable landscape practices, and the benefits of urban gardening.

Kuzma explains that gardening continues to be of interest to local residents.

“People are now considering what they can grow themselves. If they can be able to sustain themselves with fruits and vegetables, I’m sure that would be a massive savings for their overall grocery bill,” says Kuzma.  

In addition to gardening hints, the show has a variety of exhibitors and vendors.

“There are a lot of experts here within the show to be able to help,” Kuzma says – not only showcasing the latest products available, but also the experts found right here in Saskatoon.

“(It’s) helping them decide if it’s a project they want to take on or something they need an expert to do.”

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This year’s Speaker’s Theatre will include presentations and hands-on demonstrations on many topics of interest to local gardeners and backyard enthusiasts. Topics include container gardening, backyard birds, probiotic soil enhancers, growing more Saskatchewan wildflowers, healthy soil, insect and disease control and pruning trees and shrubs.

The soil enhancers may be of special interest to many, as it’s a way to improve the quality of soil in your existing garden without hauling in truckloads of new dirt.  

“There are some great soil enhancers that are being produced within the province,” says Kuzma. “There will be a presentation on the theatre, but there’s also a number of vendors as well.”

A complete schedule of presentations on the Speaker’s Theatre can be found at Gardenscapeyxe.com. 

In addition, Gardenscape has created a useful collection of informative articles and videos on their website under the Learning Hub tab. New gardeners or experienced gardeners will find something useful in the Learning Hub. 

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The Gardenscape Art Show has also grown this year to include creative masterpieces by 40 local artists. It’s a perennial favourite for art-lovers and those who appreciate local talents.  

Of course, Gardenscape wouldn’t be Gardenscape without the feature design gardens – five in total this year. These displays are conceptualized by a designer and implemented by a team of volunteers. Every year they start growing bulbs months before the show begins to make sure the colourful blooms are ready for their debut.  

Your admission to Gardenscape also gets you access to multiple shows a day by the SuperDogs. The high-flying puppers are returning to wow and delight audiences with their jaw-dropping feats of agility. This year’s show is called the Dog Days of Summer with a beachy soundtrack and surf-inspired stunts. Afterwards, experience the Pat n’ Chat where you can meet the four-legged stars of the show.

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Sunday night is the annual plant sale and auction, where the public can purchase plants used in the display gardens. From shrubs to bulbs to indoor and tropical plants, it’s a chance to take home a piece of the show. The cash and carry portion starts at 6 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 6:30 p.m.  

Gardenscape is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16.50 at the gate for daily admission or $23 for a two-day pass. You can also buy discounted tickets online. And children under age 15 get in free. For more information, to buy tickets or to check out some informative blogs in the Learning Hub, check out Gardenscapeyxe.com.  

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