THE lawns are growing and so are the weeds. Winter pansies that have spent the cold months looking stunted and a bit forlorn are suddenly bursting with life - and so are the dandelions.

It's spring and the potting shed door creaks open as you reach for the hoe, the border spade and all those other well-honed tools.

It's time to start gardening again and that must mean Malvern's Spring Gardening Show is just around the corner.

It's next weekend actually, from Friday to Sunday at the Three Counties Showground, where inspirational gardens and exquisite floral displays, quality shopping and a star-studded line-up of top television gardeners all combine in the tried and tested formula of the first big gardening event of the season.

Now a joint venture between Three Counties Agricultural Society and the Royal Horticultural Society, the event has mushroomed since it began 19 years ago as a small regional flower show

In 2004, visitors will be coming from Land's End and John o'Groats and from as far afield as California and New Zealand.

Advance ticket sales are already up by 20 per cent on 2003, which was the best year so far with more than 93,000 through the gates.

This year's visitors can look forward to a record-breaking collection of 14 show gardens, including an old miner's garden, a romantic lover's retreat and an eco-cube, based on science fiction.

There are also three feature gardens, each designed to challenge preconceived ideas and stimulate discussion.

Topping the bill in the BBC Hereford & Worcester Celebrity Theatre is Alan Titchmarsh, who'll be at Malvern on Saturday.

Alan has been to the show before as part of a television team, but this is his first year as a celebrity in his own right.

He'll be joined by Chris Beardshaw (Sunday), Nigel Colborn (Friday), Joe Swift (Friday), Toby Buckland (Sunday) and James Alexander-Sinclair (Friday).

Expert advice and practical planting tips will also be on offer at the Gardening Roadshow, sponsored by Phostrogen.

"We are very proud of the fact the Spring Gardening Show has blossomed into such a popular event," said TCAS Press officer Sharon Gilbert

"With 30 acres of specialist flowers, design ideas and revolutionary gadgets, Malvern has earned its reputation as a source of charming, yet achievable ideas for gardeners of all abilities.

"All sections of the event were over-subscribed this year, and the 1.6 acre RHS Malvern Floral Marquee has been redesigned to make better use of the space and improve visitor flow."

New features for 2004 include a special charity garden, which is being built by HND/BSc students at Pershore College of Horticulture, in aid of the Acorns Children's Hospital Trust, together with a series of children's pottery workshops run by ceramic artist Jon Williams.

The Society is also introducing a new Art and Design competition for schools, inviting Key Stages One and Two pupils to submit garden designs, based on a well-known film or book theme.

The competition is sponsored to the tune of £600 by the Cumberland Pencil Company, and amongst the prizes are two Artist Wooden Boxes.

The BBC Gardeners' World team is back for the fourth year running, and Monty Don and the crew will be filming at the showground on Thursday and Friday, May 6 and 7.

Other attractions include permanent gardens, food and wines, crafts and live music, plus a vast array of trade stands selling everything from dibbers to ride-on mowers.

Finally - and possibly for those who own trowels with silver handles or diamond encrusted wheelbarrows - there will be an exclusive champagne reception graced by royalty on the eve of the extravaganza.

On Thursday evening, the Duke of Gloucester will be attending a fund-raising reception for St John Ambulance in the magnificent Malvern Floral Marquee, where around 95 of the nation's top nurseries will be displaying an estimated 3,000 varieties of plants in a riot of colour and scent.

The reception, which is being co-ordinated by TCAS president Colonel Sir Piers Bengough, will provide guests with the opportunity to view the spectacle with a glass of champagne in one hand and a canape in the other.

The Duke is Grand Prior of the Order of St John, so presumably gets in free. For everyone else, the ticket-only viewing costs £35 each.

Go on. Give the gardener a night out.

n Malvern Spring Gardening Show is on the Three Counties Showground, Malvern from Friday, May 7 until Sunday May 9. Opening times 9am until 6pm. Admission on the day £13 and £12. Children aged 15 and under admitted free.