Garden Expo preps residents for Spring - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW)-- It might not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner and the Washburn Neighborhood Association is helping people get ready.

Saturday they hosted the 9th annual Garden Expo. It was free for the public and included a rain barrel contest. Local artists painted the barrels and attendees voted on their favorite and bid on the rain barrels.

"A rain barrel is going to help you retain water from those huge rain falls that we have," said Jo Ann Neve, who painted one of the barrels. "You can retain that in your rain barrel and use that to water your flowers, water your lawn. Unfortunately you can't use it for your vegetables. I use mine for water that's coming down my spouts and get it away from my foundation."

Other booths provided information about the emerald ash borer and landscaping tips.