Preparing for Springfest

Augusta — The Conservatory at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta is undergoing a colorful transformation. Flowers are being forced from their winter dormancy and carefully timed to be in full bloom for the 13th anniversary of the Springfest Flower & Garden Show, to be held on Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 15. The show, featuring horticultural displays, is known as The Garden Lover’s Flower Show. The area’s landscape companies are busy building stone walls, laying patio stones, staining arbors and gazebos and creating waterfalls and ponds filled with colorful koi. Ken Druse, nationally known garden writer, will return this year to judge the popular Window Box Competition featuring 12 inspiring designs. He will also podcast Real Dirt Radio live from the Gardens at Springfest on Friday. Ralph Snodsmith from The Garden Hotline will share his Basket of Tricks with visitors on Thursday at 1 p.m. Visitors will see an expanded show full of ideas and information to use in their own yards. After strolling through the gardens, one can stop to shop at the Marketplace, take in a garden lecture, dine in the Café or play Garden Treasure Hunt with the kids for prizes. Soon the dust of construction will settle and the transformation will be complete. Call 973-948-9448 or visit www.springfestgardenshow.org.