Ideas abound at annual home and garden expo

It’s that time of year for the Clark County Event Center to play host to an expo of all things domestic as Clark Public Utilities brings the 28th annual Home and Garden Idea Fair to Ridgefield this weekend.

From April 26-28 hundreds of local home and garden businesses will gather at the event center to showcase what they have to offer. Full-size landscape displays brought together by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals and a slew of guest presentations sponsored by the Clark County Building Industry Association and the Clark County Think! Campaign were among the attractions listed by Clark Public Utilities in their announcement of this year’s iteration of the nearly three-decade-old event.

More than 30 vendors and nurseries are slated to take part in the plant sale portion of the fair. The sale will be “selling everything from vegetable starts and local plants, to hanging baskets and garden art,” CPU’s release notes.  

The Salmon Creek Farmers Market will also host a rotation of its regulars as part of the sale.

Inside the exhibition hall, New Tradition Homes’ Innovation Home will return, showcasing the latest technology in home building and remodeling. CPU’s release noted that there will be a small accessory dwelling unit (ADU) available for tours as well. 

Something new this year is free trees to CPU customers, the utility’s spokesperson and idea fair organizer Heather Allmain stated in the release. She said the trees could be picked up either Friday or Saturday — those looking for a free tree are directed to reserve one at arborday.org/clarkpud where they also can find information on the best location for the new flora “to shade their homes, save energy and beautify their yards.” 

The free trees are part of a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.

Though admission to the idea fair is free, CPU will collect donations of non-perishable food items for local food banks or cash donations for the utility’s Operation Warm Heart, a program that provides heating assistance for families in financial crisis. Parking is $6 though there is free shuttle service from both the Fisher’s Landing and 99th Street transit stations.

The utility will also swap out old compact fluorescent light bulbs for safe recycling, giving away two LED bulbs per household in exchange.

{{tncms-inline content="<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clark Public Utilities’ 28th Annual Home and Garden Idea Fair</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Clark County Event Center</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">17402 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Admission is free, to park at the event center costs $6</span></p>" id="061524e4-5ebf-4515-aeac-b7da23bdd932" style-type="fact" title="If You Go" type="relcontent"}}

Landscaping showcases

Creekside Crossing

Designer: JM Landscaping & Irrigation

“Enjoy the peaceful sound of the waterfall and creek as you cross over the bridge into a beautiful pentagon pergola. Relax and enjoy this peaceful outdoor living space. Outdoor living areas can become whatever you like; a space you are proud to enjoy with your family and friends.”

The Gathering

Designers: Boulder Falls Landscaping

“Visit our welcoming display built around friends and family. This display features sitting walls, an octagon pergola, premium artificial grass, and color changing yard lighting. When you’re hosting a small gathering of people this is the perfect setting to kick back, relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

Al Fresco

Designers: Northwest Outdoor Living and Landscapes

“With our display garden, our goal was to help inspire people to take advantage of our beautiful Northwest splendor by creating spaces that will ultimately extend their outdoor season. Your outdoor cover allows you to enjoy additional outdoors experiences on those occasional damp nights in the Pacific Northwest. Begin your evening by showing off your cooking prowess utilizing the built-in barbecue while serving up your favorite beverages to your guests as you set the mode for a beautiful evening. Afterward, enjoy the celestial skies, share stories and songs, and roast marshmallows with your younger guests while staying comfortable around a cozy raised fire pit.”

Outdoor Oasis

Designer: Greenhaven Landscapes, Inc.

“Come into the back yard where families and friends come together for barbecues, fun and socializing. Enjoy the rounded Pergola with its wood and metal mix of beauty. The bistro lights and fire pit let you enjoy the cool spring nights, to snuggle up around the fire. Enjoy the large birdbath bubbler water feature. Watch the water flow over the stunning three-tiered Vietnamese pots. Sit and relax and put the last week of work’s busy schedule behind you and relax the weekend away.”

Northwest LivingDesigner: Pars Landscape, Inc.

“This garden is designed for privacy with exceptional rock work and a paver patio to enjoy with family and friends. And because it is designed for low maintenance, you’ll have more time to sit and enjoy your backyard retreat.”

Cozy Corner

Designer: RW Landscaping

“Whether it’s a large extravagant water feature or a small bubbling rock, there is nothing like the sound of trickling water to wash away life’s little problems. Picture yourself enjoying that morning coffee or evening glass of wine in a peaceful relaxing environment.”

— Exhibit descriptions from Clark Public Utilities

{{tncms-inline content="<p class="p1"><strong>• Adele’s Garden Artistry</strong></p> <p class="p2">perennials, herbs, vegetable starts</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Alicia’s Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, ground cover, vines</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Alpine Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">succulents, perennials, wildflowers, cactus, conifers, natives</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Barton Farms</strong></p> <p class="p2">fuchsias, geraniums, impatiens, hanging baskets</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• C & J Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">hanging baskets, vegetable starts, annuals, perennials, gourds</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Cascade Greenhouse</strong></p> <p class="p2">annuals, perennials, baskets, trees, shrubs</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Franklin Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">rhododendrons, peonies, shrubs</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• French Prairie Gardens</strong></p> <p class="p2">hanging baskets, annual bedding plants</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Halfmoon Farm</strong></p> <p class="p2">honey, bees, and beekeeping</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Horner N Sons Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">evergreens, perennials, hostas, ground cover, planters, birdhouses</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• K’s Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">bedding plants, baskets, trees, shrubs</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Little Prince of Oregon Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">ground covers, herbs, succulents and grasses</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Margie’s Farm and Garden</strong></p> <p class="p2">hanging baskets, patio containers, annuals</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Millennium Farms</strong></p> <p class="p2">vegetable starts, herbs, bedding plants</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• N & M Herb Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">herbs</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• North West Cactus</strong></p> <p class="p2">cactus</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Old House Dahlias</strong></p> <p class="p2">dahlia tubers</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• One Earth</strong></p> <p class="p2">trees, hydrangeas, edibles, shrubs, roses, perennials and vines</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Owens Gardens</strong></p> <p class="p2">air plants</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Pearson Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">ferns, hostas, Northwest natives, unusual perennials</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Sabino Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">maples, conifers</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Salmon Creek Farmers Market</strong></p> <p class="p2">new featured nursery daily</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Scented Acres</strong></p> <p class="p2">lavender</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Sebright Gardens</strong></p> <p class="p2">hostas</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Sedum Chicks</strong></p> <p class="p2">sedums, sempervivums, hypertufa</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Stoller Farms</strong></p> <p class="p2">fuchsia & mixed baskets, geraniums, bedding plants</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• The Lily Pad</strong></p> <p class="p2">lilies</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Three Sisters Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">trees, maples, dogwoods, garden art</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Uncle Wayne’s Tomatoes</strong></p> <p class="p2">tomatoes, vegetable and herb plants</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Watershed Garden Works</strong></p> <p class="p2">natives, unusual ornamental, edible, medicinal, native compatible</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• Woodlawn Nursery</strong></p> <p class="p2">geraniums, impatiens, baskets, veggies, down under pots</p> <p class="p3"><strong>• WSU Master Gardeners</strong></p> <p class="p2">plant holding and general information</p>" id="a46f44b8-cdb4-4a38-a67e-56acc52861f4" style-type="bio" title="Plant Sale Vendors " type="relcontent"}}

{{tncms-inline content="<p class="p1"><strong>Friday, April 26</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>11 a.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Live Demo Pruning Street and Landscape trees</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Reggie Frumkin, City of Vancouver Urban Forestry</p> <p class="p2"><strong>12:30 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Creating Your Forever Home — Approaching Accessibility Needs</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Aaron Marvin, ACT Builders</p> <p class="p2"><strong>2 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Seed Saving: Learn Different Methods for Saving Seeds</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Vione Graham, Clark County Master Gardeners</p> <p class="p2"><strong>3:30 p.m. </strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Seven Lavender Growing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them DIY Workshop: Lavender Bath Salts</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Julie Cleveland, Sauvie Island Lavender Farm</p> <p class="p3"><strong>Saturday, April 27</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>11 a.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Tomatoes and Peppers — A Review and What’s New</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Carl Barney, Uncle Wayne’s Tomatoes Inc.</p> <p class="p2"><strong>12:30 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Remodeling Success — How to Avoid Flims, Flams, and Scams</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Abbie Bartlett, Elder Justice Center; Mike Kinnaman, Designer NW; Stephan Mayer, Better Business Bureau; Julie Perales, Labor & Industries; Casey Filburn, Columbia Credit Union</p> <p class="p2"><strong>2 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Made in the Shade: Planting for PNW Dry Shade</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Laura Heldreth, Clark County Master Gardeners, Uncle Wayne’s Tomatoes Inc.</p> <p class="p2"><strong>3:30 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>DIY Workshop: Glass Jar Herb Gardens (First 20 participants can make their own glass jar herb garden)</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Eloyce O’Connor, Garden Delights Herb Farm</p> <p class="p1"><strong>Sunday, April 28</strong></p> <p class="p2">1<strong>1 a.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>ADU’s — Lasting Relationships Through Meaningful Buildings</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Derek Huegel, Wolf Industries Inc.</p> <p class="p2"><strong>12:30 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>How to Interview and Hire a Contractor</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Dave Myllymaki, Clark County Building Safety Renew Creations</p> <p class="p2"><strong>2 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>“You Can!” — Tomatoes and Salsa</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Laurie Burgess, WSU Extension Clark County Master Food Preservers</p> <p class="p2"><strong>3:30 p.m.</strong></p> <p class="p2"><strong>Chicken Keeping 101</strong></p> <p class="p2">Presented by Tonya Meyer, The Chicken People</p>" id="29ee1d2d-7391-4f26-9a37-918b48684a2f" style-type="bio" title="Guest Speaker Schedule " type="relcontent"}}