When I left the house this morning, I had to wonder if spring would ever arrive. There was a steady sleet/snow falling that quickly turned to all snow during my morning commute.  And as I write this blog, a cold rain accompanies a brisk north wind. Kinda makes it hard to picture my clusters of daffodils or mounds of lilies ever emerging from the frozen ground.

And then I saw the morning paper and my whole outlook changed!  What changed my mood? I'm glad you asked....it's the arrival of

THE PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW!!!

That's right friends! The Portland Flower Show begins tonight, and for many Mainers, that is the first sign of spring!

In the past, The Portland Flower Show has had to compete with The New England Spring Flower Show, which usually take place in Bangor and Boston on the same day as the Portland show.  But alas, even flora and fauna have been affected by the economy, and the shows in Bangor and Boston have been canceled.  So that leaves The Portland Flower Show, with it's 16 indoor gardens, 105 garden-related vendors, lectures, films, a plant auction and other green fun, as the only show in northern New England.  This year will be even bigger, as many vendors from the two canceled shows will be setting up shop in Portland. You can buy gardening books, master creating a water garden, buy seeds, bulbs, shovels...the works!  Brunswick's own Skillin's Greenhouse will demonstrate landscaping with native plants, and Al Berard of the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization will talk about how to grow those giant pumpkins. Maybe I'll win the neighborhood pumpkin contest this year!

If you're as excited as I am, here are the details:

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (preview); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore St.; 775-4403

HOW MUCH:$13 in advance at Hannaford Supermarkets and various garden centers; $15 at the door. Wednesday's preview costs $30 in advance and $50 at the door, and will include an awards ceremony, music and food.

PARKING:At garages around downtown, or on the street in the Old Port. Free shuttle buses will run along Commercial Street as far west as the Casco Bay Bridge, except on Wednesday night.

WHAT ELSE: For a complete list of lectures, vendors, exhibitors and other information, visit www.portlandcompany.com.

So there you go....a wonderful taste of spring for the winter weary New Englanders!

If you'd like additional information on The Portland Flower Show, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you'd like to grow your own garden in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!