I got to watch seven landscaping companies build over $700,000 worth of gardens in less than 10 days at the National Western Complex arena.
My favorite, "Inner Beauty", is by  Mike Enger and Nick Benson of Singing Hills Landscape. Their design called for a flat, raised circle of paving stones surrounded by a moat. Additional features included a fire pit in the center and a pergola that drips a curtain of water into the moat. Garden coordinator Tim Smith of Unicorn Gardening planned a pine-covered mountain cut by a waterfall and surrounded by poured and textured concrete paths.

For the full story, see this Saturday's Home Front section.

Also -- stop by at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and listen in on my talk at the show theater on fragrant plants for the garden. I'll also be giving away lots of cool books and fragrant items.

What: 2006 Spring Home & Patio Show

Where: National Western Complex - Stadium Arena

Address: I-70 at the Brighton Boulevard Exit

When: Saturday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets: Adults $8, children under 12 free. Discounts available at www.bigasalloutdoors.com/ps/cq

Information: 303-892-6800