HAMBURG — The flowers will be blooming, the smell of the dark, musky earth will surface and the warmth of a simulated spring will be abundant at this year’s Plantasia garden and landscape show, the “official sponsor of spring.”

Winter frost and icy layers may still be coating Western New York, but as the clocks have sprung forward for an extra hour of sunlight, it is nearly time to call the landscaper or dust off those gardening gloves.

Western New York State Nursery Landscape Association – now known as Plant Western New York – will kick off the event on the spring solstice, and will run from Thursday – Sunday, March 20 – 23 at The Fairgrounds Event Center, located at 5600 McKinley Parkway in Hamburg. Now in its 14th year, Plantasia will sport the theme “Party in the Garden.”

“Basically, it’s the feel that you’re out in your yard, having a party,” said Plantasia Chairman Chris Zeisz. He began working in a greenhouse when he was 7 years old, and has now been employed in landscaping for 35 years. Zeisz is the owner and landscape contractor for Snyder Ridge Landscaping and is also the owner of American Beauties Florist, both based out of Buffalo.

He was a part of the small group that developed Plantasia, kicking it off with the first production in 2001. Initially held at an event center in Clarence, the show has been housed at The Fairgrounds for nine years.

Zeisz, a member of Plant WNY, explained that the purpose of the event is to continue the education within the industry, to help donate to organizations and establishments such as the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens or the Buffalo Zoo, and to raise money for community projects such as planting trees in the local area or providing scholarships for youths who are interested in horticulture.

“It has grown quite a bit in terms of the number of vendors and quality of landscape displays,” Zeisz said.

As of this year, Plantasia will feature approximately 185 vendors and 16 landscaping displays. The “Children’s Discovery Garden,” presented by the Aurora Waldorf School, has expanded. A clown and an Easter bunny will also be available, for children’s entertainment.

For adult attendees, this event is held for those intrigued about landscaping to “come and see what we do,” according to Zeisz.

Educational seminars about landscaping, gardening and nursery-related topics will take place. Certified professionals will be present to hire, and information will be available for people who choose to take a “do-it-yourself” approach.

Educational seminars will range from how to take care of lawns to the right place to sow a plant. A schedule of these events and a list of topics may be found on Page 24 and on the event’s website.

“There’s a lot involved [in landscaping],” Zeisz said. “Sometimes, people will buy things because they like them, and then [those things] die. They get discouraged about things because of that.” He added that Plantasia and the services available will help educate green thumb folks and give direction for better luck and long-term success.

Plantasia will be held from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday – Saturday, March 20 – 23, and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. There is an admission charge; children 12 years old and younger may attend for free.

For more information and a discount coupon for the event, visit www.PlantasiaNY.com or call The Fairgrounds at 649-3900.

Sponsored by the Builders Association of North Central Florida and The Gainesville Sun, the event will feature more than 130 local vendors. Among the trends being seen locally, and on display this weekend, are solar energy panels, smart home systems and garden sanctuaries.

“Whether it’s something to do with windows or paint color or a landscaping idea,

this show has all the answers, all under one roof, all in one weekend,” said Margie Krpan, deputy executive vice president of the builders association.

Solar Impact co-founder Elaine Jacobson said solar electricity is steadily rising in popularity. Switching to solar energy, she said, can decrease or even eliminate monthly electricity bills.

“Once people learn their return on investment … it’s a whole 16 percent,” Jacobson said. “It’s one of the few home improvements that has a positive return.”

Installing the panels has become considerably more affordable, which has led to more homeowners opting for solar energy, she said.

Solar panels, and videos showing how installations are done, will be displayed at the Solar Impact booth, along with the company’s customized electric car, Jacobson said.

Moving into the home and inside the kitchen, alternatives to granite countertops have become a main attraction.

Brad Fortune, owner of Haile Kitchen Bath, will have white and espresso-colored cabinetry on display. Fortune said he has seen a big push for kitchen remodeling in recent months and that people are choosing countertop material that is more durable and stain resistant than granite.

The big ones are stone carrera marble and quartz countertops, both white. Coupled with white cabinets, remodelers have been going for the “classic white on white look,” he said.

In the home-tech sector, Crime Prevention Security, a security and home technology company, will take up four booths with its home entertainment systems.

“The big trend is mobile, and being able to control the home, whether it’s security, lights, locks or thermostat, all from the mobile device — smartphones or any kind of tablet,” Marketing Director Bobby McAfee said.

“New technology on display this year includes wireless, portable Bluetooth speakers, more interactive features for security systems, and smartphone control of lights, locks and thermostats.”

Show attendants will find a “man cave” sporting several TVs and mobile-based home entertainment systems, he said.

Outside of the home, gardening trends include backyard retreats, raised bed gardens and Florida-friendly landscapes.

Jon George, owner of Cottage Gardens, is working on a garden and pool house combination. He said homeowners have been transforming their backyards into retreat-like sanctuaries, with aesthetic features such as pools or fountains.

“From the landscaping and gardening perspective, we are working with a lot of people now doing makeovers on their homes,” George said. “A lot of people have chosen to stay in their homes rather than move.”

The most popular gardens are made up of native plants that attract wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an interactive space.

The common theme, he said, is “build it, and they will come.”

Wendy Wilbur, Alachua County’s environmental horticulture agent, said container gardening, or potted plants, are being used to grow vegetables, herbs and colored plants near front doors. Veggies also are being grown in raised bed gardens, or in raised box frames, in front and back yards.

She said gardeners also are choosing to blend their edible plants within the regular landscape, such as planting tomato plants within a flowerbed.

“We will be showing what is known as Florida-friendly landscaping,” Wilbur said, which involves “designing a landscape that still looks beautiful and is a lot more sustainable.” A big focus being on water conservation, Wilbur said attendees can learn how to make a rain barrel at the Alachua County Master Gardeners booth.

Keeping with the water conservation trend, drip irrigation systems and artificial turf will be the main topic at Lawn Enforcement’s booth.

Mike Troiano said his booth will showcase plants from Florida natives to exotics.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4 per person and free for ages 16 and younger.