'Big Show at Cal Expo' celebrates 30 years

For three decades, it’s lived up to its nickname, “The Big Show at Cal Expo.” And this week’s edition promises to be one of the biggest yet.

This Friday through Sunday, Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo returns to Sacramento for its 30th annual show featuring hundreds of vendors and presenters.

Considered California’s largest show of its kind, the NorCal Home & Landscape Expo averages 38,000 in attendance for its three-day run at Cal Expo.

Gardening seminars and talks cover such topics as vegetable gardening, tropical plants, tree care basics, lawn care and landscape inspiration.

Among the featured presenters will be well-known garden designer and author Michael Glassman. At noon Saturday, Glassman teams with Janey Santos, creator of the YouTube channel “Dig Plant Water Repeat,” to tackle common garden issues in “Solving Problems in the Landscape.” At 1 p.m. Sunday, Glassman presents “Front Yard Fixes – How to Make an Impact Entrance with a Useful and Water-Wise Front Yard.”

At 1 p.m. Saturday, learn how to better care for your urban forest with UC master gardener Pam Bone, who presents “Tree Care Basics: How to Properly Plant and Maintain Landscape Trees.” Interested in a budget-friendly water-wise transformation for your landscape? At noon Sunday, designer Laura Halpenny of Roberta Walker Landscape Design shows how to “Create Your Perfect Landscape on Any Budget.”

Three expansive display gardens will showcase the latest in garden trends with ideas that can be used in landscapes of any size. In the same area, Sacramento master gardeners will be on site all three days to answer gardening questions. The California Master Beekeeper Programs brings its bee ambassadors (including a see-through hive) plus lots of information on how to put more positive buzz in your garden. The Urban Wood Network will show how they turn fallen city trees into furniture.

Admission is $10; half price for seniors (age 62 and older) on Friday. Children 12 and under admitted free. Parking at Cal Expo: $10.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Cal Expo is located at 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.