"Essentially, we never really stopped thinking about the spring show," said SHA President Kelley Chase.

There are six committees that make the show come to life: marketing, design, construction, children’s activities, growing and donations. 

Starting in the fall semester, the marketing committee reaches out to news outlets, creates posters and apparel, and contacts local organizations to advertise the show. At the same time, the design committee begins sketching the layout and aesthetic of the display, planning how the plants will be arranged within the conservatory.

Once the design is finalized, construction steps in to bring the vision to life. For head of construction Ben Mellema, this has looked like executing the story of "The Wizard of Oz." As guests walk through the display they will chronologically explore the story. Mellema has gone as far as to create the tornado, displaying destruction on Dorothy’s house.

Meanwhile, the growing committee starts its work as early as November, ordering and caring for the plants that will eventually fill the conservatory. When the plants start arriving in January and February, SHA members host "potting parties" after their meetings to pot plants while listening to music.

After the plants are potted, the growing committee takes care of them, watering, pruning and doing pest management until the April event. 

The children’s activities committee focuses on exactly that — keeping kids entertained while parents shop. 

In order to make everything possible, it’s the donations committee that works behind the scenes making calls and emails in order to fund the materials to support both growing and construction efforts. 

The final stretch begins two weeks before the sale, when the conservatory is transformed. Members build key features of the theme, from the yellow brick road to the tornado.

"I personally think it’s really inspiring," said Loretta Klecker, chair of the marketing committee. "We have a group of people who come together, who work hard to get this put together in time, and it usually always turns out really beautiful, even if there are small mistakes."

For Chase, she appreciates the social aspect of what this fundraiser does for SHA.

"It's just a lot of fun to be working in an industry that we're all passionate about, but getting to do it together," Chase said. "I think we all get a little bit closer during this time too, just working with each other. Getting to see students work on things that they're passionate about whether that's watering plants every day, working in a nursery or building the construction design, I love how this gives them the avenue to pursue that."

The same rings true for Mellema.

"It's definitely eye-opening for me, again, being a freshman, I haven't really seen this event," Mellema said. "It definitely has made a big impact on me through meeting people within the club that like to be active and help out. I think it's just a fun process overall."

Perennials, hanging baskets, shrubs and native species will all be available for purchase at the sale. The money raised during this event funds various things for SHA including networking events, sending students to the National Collegiate Landscape competition, industry conferences and scholarship funds.  

The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Anyone is welcome to the event, no registration required and free of charge unless purchasing a plant.