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LAS CRUCES ? Thousands of residents found home improvement inspiration and gained insight from experts on Southwestern gardening and landscaping Saturday during the 30th annual Las Cruces Home & Garden Show.
Presented by the Las Cruces Home Builders Association, the weekend-long showcase continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave.
Representing the latest and most popular trends in home improvement, including sustainable construction and solar panels, accessories and furnishings for the home, and above-ground lap pools and spas, vendors packed the Convention Center on the show's opening day with exhibits and displays, providing helpful information to homeowners.
As many as 7,000 are expected to attend the weekend-long show, which drew a crowd of about 5,000 last year, said Steve Chavira, the Las Cruces Home Builders Association's managing director.
Instead of buying and selling properties, "Right now, we're seeing that people are redesigning, renovating and improving their own living spaces," he said.
Solar energy is "very popular right now with people who are looking to improve their bottom line and lower the cost of running a home," Chavira explained.
Companies such as Solar Smart Living, LLC, and Sunspot Solar Energy set up displays to demonstrate the many benefits of installing solar panels and the money-saving opportunities that come with solar energy usage.
Pool Tech Plus's display of backyard spas and above-ground swimming and exercise pools also drew large crowds during Saturday's show.
"No longer do homeowners have to spend $30,000 on an in-ground pool for their backyard," Chavira said.
Pool Tech Plus's above-ground versions, "... can typically be installed in just one day and then the fun can begin," he added.
With a propeller current system that makes aquatic exercise possible in a smaller space than a traditional pool, the Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa, designed by the famed Olympic gold medalist, was the main attraction at the Pool Tech Plus exhibit on Saturday.
Homeowners in the market for backyard water features watched demonstrations from members of the Las Cruces Aquatic Team and were even invited to go for a dip themselves in the popular swim spa to get a first-hand experience.
To assist homeowners in making their renovation dreams a reality, several local lenders were also on hand to offer information on home improvement loans, Chavira said.
"There's really something for everyone, no matter what projects people have in mind. It's a chance for people to get to know what's out there and what's available," he said of the event. "And it's our 30th annual show, so there's a lot of excitement."
Tickets to the Home & Garden Show are available at the door for $5. Children age 12 and younger are admitted for free.
New to this year's show is a live garden display, located inside the Convention Center, from Red Mesa Design & Development, a Mesilla-based company specializing in landscape design, new construction and remodeling.
"Spring is about ready to gear up, and there are a lot of things here that people can incorporate in their landscapes and use to improve their garden spaces," Chavira explained. "I noticed that there are no xeriscaping (exhibits or presentations) this year, which tells me that people really do want that lush, green garden."
The Do?a Ana County Master Gardeners, who provide research-based gardening information to residents as part of New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service, provided a wealth of information to homeowners looking to transform Southwestern landscapes into desert oases.
Throughout the past three decades, the garden aspect of the Las Cruces Home & Garden Show has continued to grow, explained Jeff Anderson, Do?a Ana County agriculture and horticulture agent.
"Many people think that nothing will grow here," he said. "It takes some thought and planning, from moderating the wind and cutting the amount of sunlight and heat by planting trees, but it can be done."
County residents who encounter problems in the garden, which most often involve issues with watering and bugs, can call the Master Gardeners hotline, (575) 525-6649.
"The more beautiful Las Cruces becomes, the more attractive it is to current and potential residents," Anderson said of the benefits of well-informed gardeners.
During the weekend-long show, NMSU professors and other local experts, including Anderson, will give presentations that offer useful information for residents looking for gardening tips.
Presentations on growing citrus plants, beneficial garden insects, gardens that attract hummingbirds, irrigation pointers, the benefits of planting trees and weather information will be held during today's show, said Maryann Pribillo, a Master Gardeners volunteer.
"People have to keep in mind that you can't beat Mother Nature," Pribillo said of gardening in the Southwest. "But, if you choose varieties of plants that are proven to thrive in our zone, you can have a beautiful garden. It's all about familiarizing yourself with what's here."
She continued, "Our goal is to bring awareness so that more and more people can enjoy the awesome fruits of their labor."
The Las Cruces Home & Garden Show is one of several events held by the Las Cruces Home Builders Association, a nonprofit trade association, representing the residential home building industry in southern New Mexico. Of the more than 420 members in the association, about one-third are licensed builders and the remaining members include subcontractors, materials suppliers and other businesses that all work together to provide the community's housing, according to the organization's Web site.
The association's annual Spring Showcase of Homes is scheduled during two weekends this year: April 27 to 29 and May 4 to 6.
"We expect to have a lot of really great homes featured in the showcase this year," Chavira said. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, members of the public who take the showcase tour are invited to attend a barbecue from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 at the association's headquarters, 2825 N. Main St., where they'll also be able to vote to their favorite homes and be eligible to win prizes.
The Las Cruces Home Builders Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a brand new event, the Renovate & Decorate Show, to be held in November as a response to both economic times and an increased interest in homeowner do-it-yourself projects.
For information about the Home & Garden Show and other Las Cruces Home Builders Association events, visit www.lascruceshomeandgarden.com or www.biasnm.org.
Lauren E. Toney can be reached at lauren.toney@gmail.com.
If you go
What: 30th annual Las Cruces Home & Garden Show
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today
Where: Las Cruces Convention Center
How much: $5, kids 12 and under free
Info: www.lascruceshomeandgarden.com, (575) 526-6126
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