With warm temperatures heralding the arrival of spring, another harbinger of spring is upon us: the 43rd annual Winnipeg Home & Garden Show.
And as is the case every year, it will be loaded with star power, says show manager Jenn Tait of Vancouver-based Marketplace Events.
"Celebrity presenters will include HGTV’s Bryan and Sarah Baeumler of Bryan Inc., Carson Arthur and Tiffany Pratt of HGTV’s Home to Win and DIY expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault," she says. "They’ll be joined by a wonderful lineup of local experts. Together, they’ll deliver all the advice and insight needed to help whip any home and garden into shape."
In all, the home and garden show — which will run next week from April 6-9 at the RBC Convention Centre — will have more than 270 exhibitors and a host of new show features aimed at helping people take their home and garden game to the next level.
"There’s going to be innovation, inspiration and expert advice at every turn," Tait says.
One of those experts — HGTV’s Arthur — is looking forward to dispensing a little expertise at the show. "I’ll be talking about two things at the show — how to increase the value of your home by investing in outdoor landscaping, and urban farming," says the internationally renowned landscaping genius.
"The truth of the matter is that return on investment (ROI) for kitchens has actually decreased over the last five years."
At the same time, the ROI on outdoor landscaping has been increasing and will continue to do so.
"Basically, if you plant some trees and shrubs, the value of your home will increase as they grow," Arthur explains.
"New statistics are showing that outdoor landscaping influences the value of your home by as much as eight per cent.
"If you have a nicely designed, well-cared-for front yard, it will not only give your home great curb appeal, but it will also get prospective buyers smiling — and eager to see more."
Arthur’s second topic, urban farming, is one that’s rapidly gaining popularity among millennials. "In Winnipeg today, approximately 35 per cent of home buyers are millennials, and that number is projected to increase to about 50 per cent in the next five to 10 years," he says.
"Millennials are willing to do things like cut cable and stream programs so they can afford to have a yard where they can grow organic food and eat healthy.
"If you’re thinking of selling in the next few years, it will pay to landscape and create the environment for an urban farm."
His overall message? "Don’t neglect the outside of your home in favour of only doing indoor renovations," he says.
Tait says there will also be plenty of local talent holding forth on the Urban Barn Main Stage and in The Backyard Escape, a 2,500-square-foot area filled with lush greenery, seasonal blooms and landscape design.
"Local favourites such as Dollhouse Design, Lisa Clark Design, The Manitoba Master Gardener Association (i.e. Colleen Zacharias) will be presenting on stage, while the handiwork of Galay Landscaping, Barkman Concrete, LCL Spas and Pristine Roofing and Siding will be on display, as well."
Other local favourites — such as the Scattered Seeds Pop-up Market, featuring a host of amazing local makers, and the Ultimate Upcycle Challenge, back by popular demand — will round out the show.
"These home-grown features — along with many others — are sure to please," Tait adds. "It’s going to be a great show."
For more information on the Winnipeg Home & Garden Show — and to save $3 on advance tickets — visit winnipeghomeandgardenshow.com.
lewys@mymts.net
