Every year, winter seems to last longer and feel colder... more time stuck inside, or stuck outside in the snow.  So I really look forward to this time of the year, when the flower shows come giving us a glimpse of what’s to come and the weather starts warming up. It’s time to get ready for spring, and here are my top ten things to do!

Groundhog Tour at Grounds For Sculpture

18 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton
Tues Feb 3, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Bundle up the family for a tour at Grounds For Sculpture. On Tuesday, February 3, there will be a special tour of outdoor sculptures at 11:30 a.m. Art, the GFS groundhog, will make a special appearance. The event will be held snow or shine. No reservations are required. At the end of the tour there will be free hot cocoa. The family tour is free with admission. Adults are $15.00, Seniors 65+ are $12.00, students are $10.00, and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 609-586-0616.

Deep Cut Orchid Society’s Annual Orchid Show at Dearborn Market

2170 Hwy 35, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
Thurs. Feb. 5th – Sat. Feb. 7th • 9am – 6pm, Sun. Feb. 8th • 9am – 4:30pm
They are excited to once again be hosting the Deep Cut Orchid Society’s annual Orchid Show in their Garden Center. Members will be presenting beautiful landscaped exhibits using many unique orchid species while commercial orchid growers will also be selling plants. Take part in the Orchid Show Photo Contest.  The Deep Cut Orchid Society will be offering Free Seminars during the show.

26th Annual Garden State Home & Spa Show

Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, NJ
Feb 6 – 8; Fri 1 – 8, Sat 11 – 8, Sun 11 – 5
Winter is the perfect time to begin planning that special spring home or garden project. There is not a better time or place in New Jersey to gather new ideas and find reliable home pros than at the 26th Annual Garden State Home Show. The Garden State Home Show will feature more than 250 displays of the region's top home professionals. So forget the winter doldrums and come to the show to start planning for Spring.

13th Annual NJ Flower & Garden Show

Feb 12 – 15; Thurs 1-8, Fri & Sat 10 – 8, Sun 10 – 6
NJ Convention & Expo Center 97 Sunfield Ave at Raritan Center, Edison
Flower, gardens, and outdoor living show featuring garden displays with thousands of blooming plants and flowers.  At the New Jersey Flower & Garden Show, expect rivers of color and fragrance in beautiful display gardens, sit in on seminars and shop ‘til you drop in the Great Garden Marketplace. 

Great Backyard Bird Count at Great Swamp Education Center

247 Southern Blvd, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Feb 14 – 15, 9 – 4 PM
This free event calls bird watchers of all ages to count birds in a 15 minute period.  Celebrate birds with nature activities and crafts for kids, programs, and guided walks.   Be sure to bring your binoculars. 

Art and Photography Exhibit at Leonard J. Buck Garden

11 Layton Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931
Weekdays February 23 – March 13, 10am - 4pm
Free. Showcasing the four seasons at Leonard J. Buck Garden, this exhibit will feature photographs, paintings, and drawings of Buck Garden.  See the garden’s many faces through the works of talented artists and photographers.  This exhibit will be held at the Leonard J. Buck Garden Visitor Center.  For additional information please call 908 234-2677. 

Philadelphia Flower Show - Celebrate the Magic of the Movies

Feb 28 – Mar 8
The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is an annual event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in March. It is the world’s oldest and largest indoor flower show, attracting more than 260,000 people annually. The Show features large-scale gardens, elaborate landscapes, and over-the-top floral creations.

Visitors to the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show are treated to fabulous design, live entertainment, culinary demonstrations, gardening how-to workshops, and lectures by experts.

The Orchid Show at the NY Botanical Gardens

2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458
February 28 – April 19
Elaborate and kaleidoscopic displays throughout the galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory explode with orchids in an amazing array of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.

Maple Sugaring Fest at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

165 Hobart Avenue Summit, New Jersey 07901
Sun, March 1, 1 - 4 pm
Learn how early settlers tapped maple trees and turned the sap into delicious maple syrup! Take part in their family scavenger hunt and see whether you can successfully complete the "Maple Syrup Challenge." Round out the day with a sampling of maple syrup and flapjacks made here at the Arboretum! Registration is not required.

18th Annual Springfest Garden Show at Sussex County Fairgrounds

Rt 206 to 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Mar 12 – 15, 10 – 5 daily
There is something of interest for everyone in the family. The latest trends in gardening and outdoor living are showcased each year, and popular favorites return with a fresh and new look, so don’t miss all there is to see and do at Springfest.