Win A Gardening Gift Basket From HGTV’s Kimberly Lacy, DRAMM & 3M!

As a trained expert in all things garden-related, Kimberly Lacy, star of HGTV's Curb Appeal, knows that to get the best results, you need the best tools! To help you get your lawn ready this spring, Kimberly, DRAMM and 3M are giving away an awesome outdoor gift basket worth $500! The giveaway ends March 2, 2014, so enter now!

CLICK HERE & FILL OUT THE FORM TO ENTER!

In the gift basket, you'll find:

• A set of DRAMM gardening tools ($170 value)
  (pictured at right)

• Two pairs of safety glasses, one tinted, one clear ($30 value)

• Two N95 respirators ($16.99 value)

• 3M Silicone Caulking ($9 value)

• 3M Patch Plus Primer wall repair ($11 value)

• Scotch-Blue Exterior Masking Tape ($9 value)

Don’t miss Kimberly Lacy at our

Johnson County Home & Garden Show (Feb. 28 - March 2)!

FOR 2-FOR-1 TICKETS TO THE SHOW CLICK HERE & SAVE!

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Water Gardening 101: Fresh DIY Tips & Inspiration

Water gardening is a fun, creative way to beautify your backyard and create a tranquil oasis just outside your door. If you've ever wanted to learn how to cultivate one of these gorgeous gardens or if you just enjoy the view, don't miss the Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City (WGSGKC)at the Johnson County Home & Garden Show Feb. 28 - March 2, 2014. They'll be sharing some truly stunning water garden displays as well as their best tips for how you can get started.

Photo Courtesy of WGSGKC.

Why should someone stop by and see you at the show?

Our booth is always exciting and fresh. This year, we have collected old instruments and items and made them into yard art and water features. We are also giving people ideas for what you can do with items you already have or can pick up pre-owned. From a simple guitar with just some bright poles to using a piano as a main water attraction, you can see how to do it at our booth!

Photo Courtesy of WGSGKC.

What is the most important trend this year and for spring?

What we are seeing from all the lawn-related sources are bright colors; from bright stools to bright metal art to hang on your fences. We are also seeing a lot of these chickens, ducks and owls. We have even seen fairy chicken coops at many stores. Repurposing items to use in new ways seems to be a big trend. At our booth, you'll see us getting a lot of use out of old instruments and even old iron baby cribs.

Photo Courtesy of WGSGKC.

If someone wants to set up a water garden in their yard, what are the considerations?

The first step is for them to decide if they are doing it themselves or having a contractor do it for them. Secondly, they need to take into consideration what size and type of yard they have. Do they want to have a waterfall and no pond, or a pond made mostly for fish and plants? What are the city regulations on having a pond? Find a club or society and learn from seminars and lectures. A little research on the front end may make your water gardening experience a much better one overall.

What is essential water garden maintenance?

A water garden is an ecosystem. If set up with the right balance of water flow, fish and plants it can be relatively easy to maintain. If set up with too much of one thing (and that one thing could be the sun), you may have a big algae problem. With modern technology, ponds are a lot easier to manage, from using ultraviolet lights to ion-mates or ion-gens that produce small amounts of copper. They both help in controlling algae. When you join WGSGKC, you'll receive a terrific handbook that gives all kinds of troubleshooting hints.

In your opinion, what are the most essential gardening tools?

In water gardening, a good net is going to save you a lot of time. In the autumn when the leaves start to fall, a cover net will keep them out of your water and pumps. This prevents a large fall cleanup to stabilize the water quality. A skimmer net is also nice because it gives you the ability to remove floating debris without having to actually step into your pond.

Describe our Home Show in one word.

Refreshing!

Don’t miss the Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City at our
Johnson County Home & Garden Show (Feb. 28 - March 2)!

FOR 2-FOR-1 TICKETS TO THE SHOW CLICK HERE & SAVE!

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Orlando Exhibitor Spotlight: US Aluminum Services, Corp.

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

You won't want to miss US Aluminum Services, Corp. at our 
2013 Orlando Home Show (Oct. 4-6)! 

Get to know this fabulous exhibitor!

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business.

• Describe your product(s) or service(s):
• Our services include Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences.
• How can US Aluminum Services, Corp. help homeowners out this season?
• Screen pool enclosures can be a valuable investment that will not only protect you, but will also extend the life of your pool. Benefits include the following:
• Bug-free entertaining and swimming
• Cuts down on harmful rays to you and your loved ones
• Maintenance goes down
• Less cleaning
• Filters and pumps will last longer
• What are your featured items this season?
• $300 Off Screen Rooms for Jobs Over $3000
• FREE Glass Upgrade on Sunroom Purchases
• FREE Mini-Split AC Unit with Every Type 5 Sunroom Purchase
• What are your home makeover pet peeves?
• Some companies that do not follow codes and complete jobs that could be harmful to the customer or dangerous for the installers
• What is your favorite part about the home show?
• Meeting new people and networking!

You can catch US Aluminum Services, Corp. at our 
2013 Orlando Home Show (Oct. 4-6) at the Orange County Convention Center! 

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Orlando Exhibitor Spotlight: All Seasons Pools

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

You won't want to miss All Seasons Pools at our 
2013 Orlando Home Show (Oct. 4-6)! 

Get to know this fabulous exhibitor!

• Location
• Sanford, Tampa & The Villages
• Describe All Seasons Pools:
• Family fun is our business! All Seasons Pools has been building sculptured concrete-gunite swimming pools and spas in Florida since 1979. By offering expert design solutions and state-of-the-art construction techniques, we are able to provide our customers with the highest quality custom built pool or spa available in today’s market.

• What are your best home or garden tips for this season?
• Building your new pool during the fall & winter is the best time. Don't wait until spring or summer when everyone is having their pool built. It costs more and takes longer. Every day you have to wait during the summer to swim in your new pool,can feel like an eternity. Beat the heat and the rush and get your pool built during the off season.
• What are your featured items this season?
• A FREE salt system with every new pool.

You can catch All Seasons Pools at our 
2013 Orlando Home Show (Oct. 4-6) at the Orange County Convention Center! 

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Yard Crashing: Cristina's Backyard Makeover

Recently, our friend Cristina B. of Toronto devised the perfect plan for making over her backyard.  Naturally, Cristina turned to some of Toronto's National Home Show and Fall Home Show exhibitors to get the job done right.  Take a look at her whimsical makeover below! 

From Cristina: 

"I moved into my house almost two years ago and had a large backyard that needed A LOT of work but I really saw the potential, and wanted to make a little backyard oasis.

BEFORE...

"First things first you need to have a hammock, so my dad and I decided to build a pergola using cedar logs so that I had somewhere to hang my  hammocks (which I made from outdoor fabric from IKEA).

"I then did a lot of work replanting and arranging the flower beds and started a vegetable garden which has worked out fabulously. Put in a little play house in the back for a bit of fun, and low walkway deck.  I bought some trees and plants from Sheridan Nurseries to add some green and color.

"I then decided that I wanted grass but didn't want to have to mow it…so I went for artificial turf (check out Southwest Greens if interested). And nowadays this stuff is amazing it looks real and feels great and no real maintenance I highly recommend it!

"I also wanted a fire pit so decided to get a circular stone pattern to put underneath which looks great. I got the stones from Stone Link and ended up getting matching stones for a walkway and border. 

AFTER!

"I can’t even describe how different it looks. Big thanks to my dad who pretty much did all of the work, although I think I was a great little helper, he made all my back yard dreams come true!"

 - Cristina B.

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5 Backyard MUST-HAVES!

Of course, we know there are many awesome items that could be considered backyard essentials... but we've narrowed it down to our top five.  Check 'em out below! 

5 Backyard Essentials

1. Shade: Crucial for cooling down and entertaining! 

2. Water: Whether it's a pool, pond, or small fountain, it's always nice to have a water element in your yard. 

3. Dining Area:  Perfect for those warm summer nights of delicious barbecuing. 

4. A place/lounger to soak up the sun! 

5. Space for Activities: While outdoor furniture is crucial, remember, you should be able to play around in your yard!

Did we miss anything? Write us a comment and let us know!

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Swimming in Perfection: 6 Pools To Soak In!

Summertime is all about staying nice and cool, and where better to do that then in a pool?  Pools are truly where the party is, of course, at Marketplace Events, we've got plenty of friends who can help you with all of your pool needs.  Check out the exhibitor lists on our show websites to see what we're talking about.

Below, we've gathered some incredible pools to get you into that swimsuit mentality.

6 Amazing Pools 

Dark & Narrow Pool 

Image via Lonny

The Pool & Hot Tub Combo 

Image via House & Home

Pool by the Garden Terrace

Image via House to Home

Narrow Kidney Pool 

Image via Crystal Pools & Spas

Small Kidney Shaped Pool

Image via Lonny

Small Yard Pool

Image via House & Home

Now, take our poll!

How do you feel about backyard pools?
	I have one and I love it!
	I'm not a big fan.
	I wish I had one.
pollcode.com free polls

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Dad's Favorite Space: Ken's Wildlife Retreat

Congratulations to Paige & and her dad Ken from North Dakota on winning our Dad's Favorite Space challenge! 

Check out their winning space below...

Ken's Wildlife Retreat 

Submitted by his daughter, Paige!

Why is this Dad's Favorite Space?

"The garden is my dad's favorite space. It's peaceful and we feed the birds and wildlife here." - Paige 

Thanks so much to all for participating in our Dad's Favorite Space challenge! 

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