The annual Minneapolis Home and Garden Show starts today (Wednesday) and runs through Sunday at the Minneapolis Convention Center, offering a great escape from the cold and wind that will not end. Once again, MSHS has pulled together an informative line up of speakers on everything from beer gardening to containers for succulents for the Minneapolis home show. We’ll have a few big names, such as Amy Thielen, whose The New Midwestern Table and companion TV show are getting rave reviews from critics, and lots of locally known, extremely knowledgeable gardners.

All of the presentations will be given at the Garden Theater Stage, Room 103, which is outside of the main floor of the show. (Much easier to hear, too.)

So, here’s the lineup!

Wednesday, Feb. 26

7 p.m. — Joshua Havill, U of Minnesota research assistant, “How to Grow Hops”

Thursday, Feb. 27

5:30 p.m. — Charlie Rohwer, U of Minnesota hops researcher, “How to Grow Hops”

7 p.m. — Dave Roeser, Garden Fresh Farms, “Grow Local and Thrive with Aquaponics: Sustainable Agriculture into the Future”

Friday, Feb. 28

1 p.m. — Dina Kountoupes, Harvest Moon Edibles, “Edible Landscaping”

2:30 p.m. — Ian Lane, U of Minnesota Bee Squad, “Bee-Friendly Landscaping”

4 p.m. — Joel Karsten, Author, “Straw Bale Gardening” (book signing)

5:30 p.m. — Mark Armstead, “Succulent Containers: Easy Care and Eye-Catching”

7 p.m. — Bill Swanson, Oflora Gardens, “Giving Your Landscape Personality with Unique Plants”

Saturday, March 1

11:30 a.m. — Heather Holm, Author, “What You Can Do for Pollinators: Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Habitat” (book signing)

1 p.m. — Amy Thielen, host of Heartland Table and author, The New Midwestern Table (book signing)

2:30 p.m. — Dawn Pape, author “Good-bye Ornamentals, Hello Functional Landscapes” (book signing)

4 p.m. — Mark Armstead, “Succulent Containers: Easy Care and Eye-Catching”

5:30 p.m. — Joel Karsten, Author, “Straw Bale Gardening” (book signing)

7 p.m. — Bill Swanson, Oflora Gardens, “Giving Your Landscape Personality with Unique Plants”

Sunday, March 2

11:30 a.m. — Joel Karsten, Author, “Straw Bale Gardening” (book signing)

1 p.m. — Douglas Owens-Pike, EnergyScapes, “Beautifully Sustainable” (book signing)

2:30 p.m. — Laura and Zack Wood, Garden by the Woods, “Backyard Chickens,” followed by a nature-based craft project for kids.

4 p.m. — Joel Karsten, Author, “Straw Bale Gardening” (book signing)

We also have lilies and other bulbs for sale and lots of books. Please, stop by!