Find the cure for what ails your landscape by consulting with experts in a variety of areas at the Garden & Green Living Expo.

PBS Wisconsin caught up with nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, columnist and speaker Melinda Myers to learn about her exhibit booth and seminars. Tickets for Garden & Green Living Expo, happening Feb. 13-15 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, can be purchased at a discounted rate through Feb. 12 at wigardenexpo.com.

PBS Wisconsin: How long have you been presenting and exhibiting at the Garden & Green Living Expo?

Melinda Myers: It’s been 11 years since I started speaking at Garden & Green Living Expo and I’ve been exhibiting for the last maybe four years.

PBS Wisconsin: What keeps you coming back to Garden & Green Living Expo each year?

Myers: I do a lot of webinars during the course of a year, which I love because I can reach gardeners all over the country and it’s convenient for people, but Garden & Green Living Expo is a great opportunity to meet in person. 

It’s the premier event for gardeners in the Midwest and I talk to gardeners not only from Wisconsin, but Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa. People come by the bus load with their garden group or car full of friends. 

Whether you’re brand new to gardening or experienced, you walk into Garden & Green Living Expo and you can feel the energy. Everyone who goes to the Garden & Green Living Expo says, “Oh, this is great! Spring’s on the way!” 

PBS Wisconsin: As the plant doctor, tell us about your strategy for prescribing treatments at Garden & Green Living Expo.

Myers: For many years, I was the plant doctor on a radio station and that’s where I got that moniker. It stayed with me because I’m happy to provide research-based solutions. 

I treat each situation like a learning opportunity, not a quick fix. Whenever possible, I like to give thorough answers with plenty of background and references to resources. I feel that if I can guide you to ask the right questions, you can often solve problems. You can not only start getting your own answers, but evaluating the ‘why’ in a given scenario. Why is this and how do I prevent it in the future and become a better gardener?

PBS Wisconsin: What do you look forward to most about having a vendor booth at the expo?

Myers: My vendor booth gives me a chance to answer questions at people’s convenience. I tend to take every minute of my presentations so I often tell people, “Come visit me at the booth and ask your questions.”

I learn as much or more when I make an appearance somewhere and present than what I’m sharing. Gardeners are generous with plants and food and especially tips and ideas.

Another of my favorite parts of my Garden & Green Living Expo booth is the Passport program. Last year, there was even one little girl who wanted to take my picture because her grandma gave her “Birds & Bloom” magazine. I’ve never had an 8-year-old asking to have their picture with me. The kids who visit my booth ask really good questions so it’s a chance to see youngsters embrace the Garden & Green Living Expo.

PBS Wisconsin: What do you want educational lecture participants to walk away with after attending these presentations?

Murphy: I always say you learn as much from your failures as successes. So if I’ve learned something on the way by doing something wrong or pushing the limits, I’m happy to share it. This not only makes people more comfortable at Garden & Green Living Expo, but also more comfortable in getting started gardening. If they’re new or trying new plants or doing something different, they’ll be able to say to themselves, “I may not be 100 percent successful, but I’m going to start small, I’m going to be practical, I’m going to do my best. And if I fail, then I’ll figure out what I did wrong and take a little different approach.”

I always appreciate feedback like what subjects would attendees like me to cover in the future, future topics, sharing their ideas back with me. Please stop by the booth and let me know if something’s worked for you.

The other exciting thing that I see is when people sit down next to a stranger. They end up chatting and then they now have a new gardening buddy.