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Fall is finally here, and with it comes all the fun of local harvest festivals and what a lot of us like to think of as a second spring in the garden! It's also a bit melancholic, though, because our plants are bouncing back after summer weather worries just in time for first frosts. Oh, well - more time for planning next year's garden!
Oct. 9 - Yom Kippur - Actually begins at sunset the day before.
Oct. 12 - International Scream of Frustration Day - If you really want to!
Oct. 13 - Columbus Day- "In fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."
Oct. 16 - Boss's Day - Hip, hip, hooray for Christa and Walt! They keep our department running smoother than a...well...let's just say they keep it running smoothly.
 Oct. 21 - Apple Tuesday - In 1905, the New York Fruit Growers Association tried to get the 3rd Tuesday in October set as a national holiday with the hopes that every American would eat at least one apple that day. Unfortunately, it didn't become an official national holiday...but we still think it should be! So, go out and support your local apple growers or plant an orchard of your own!
Oct. 31 - Hallowe'en- You know the drill! Get out your broomstick and let the candy flow. Enjoy some of our harvest-themed desktops.
Nov. 2 - Daylight Savings Time Ends - It comes later this year, so don't get caught in the dark!
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 We'd like to introduce you to Chris Browne, our new Trial Gardens Manager! You're not likely to find Chris at his desk, but that's not because of a slack work ethic. Instead, he'll be manning any number of powerful, manly tools that keep our trial gardens beaming and blooming throughout the year. I mean, this guy has already worked up a sweat before we even get here in the mornings!
Chris comes to us from Clemson University, where he studied one of his biggest passions - horticulture! He says it all started with a summer landscaping job, and thanks to a lot of hard work hitting the books, this passion has blossomed into a full-fledged career here at Park. Right now he's busy switching out our summer beds to their fall finery, but he is stopping by his desk every so often to keep us up to date with what's going on in the gardens by way of his new blog posts over at www.parkseedjournal.com. Head on over and check out his first post! |
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 We just had a company-wide pink shirt day this past Wednesday to kick off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help bring attention to how this serious disease affects us all. It's currently the most common cancer afflicting women in the US, with over 40,000 expected deaths this year. And that's just from women. Men are also at risk, so the guys also donned their finest pastel threads.
So, wear your pink shirts and ribbons this month to help spread the word, and consider creating an all-pink garden in memory or honor of a loved one with breast cancer. |
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 Speaking of a second spring and fall harvests, October also happens to be Spinach Lovers Month, Vegetarian Month, Eat Better/Eat Together Month, and Celebrate Sun-Dried Tomatoes Month. I guess that means we'll all need to work on including more veggies in our diet. So, to help out - here's a quick how-to on making oven-dried (yeah, we're cheating a bit) treats out of those late-season tomatoes that might still be hanging around: Roma tomatoes are the best for this project because they have more "solids" versus seeds, but feel free to use any of your favorite home-grown varieties!
- Cut off stems, halve the tomatoes lengthwise, and scrape out any seeds.
- Place cut tomatoes on a cake rack or baking sheet with skin side down and sprinkle them with salt and pepper (optional).
- Bake in oven on 200° for 8 to 12 hours (even though they're on low heat, don't leave them completely unattended! Check back on them often to make sure they're not drying to a complete crisp. They should be shriveled, but still flexible - like a raisin!, and feel dry to the touch.) If you're using a baking sheet, turn the tomatoes at least once during drying.
- Once they're cool, pack dried tomatoes in freezer bags then store them in the freezer where they'll keep for up to a year. They'll keep best if you can also vacuum-pack them. Another option is to store them in an air-tight jar with olive oil and your favorite fresh or dried herbs from the garden (thyme and basil are great choices). In oil, dried tomatoes will keep for about 3 months in the refrigerator.
And, of course, if you have a food dehydrator, then you're already more prepared than we are and don't need these instructions. |
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 They're here! Our new EasyStart® Greenhouses are now available, and we're so excited about them! They're a beginner gardener's dream come true - perfect for extending your growth season, over-wintering established plants, or giving new seedlings a little extra protection from those chilly nights in late fall and early spring.
And one of the greatest things about this kit is how easy it is to put together. You can get your whole family involved and turn it into a fun and educational (but don't tell the kids they're going to actually learn anything!) weekend project - it only takes about 3 hours to put up, so you'll have plenty of time afterward to start filling it with your favorite flowers and veggies. Oh, and they're also quite attractive - sleek, sturdy, and professional-looking. Come on, you know you want one!
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With 175 entries, we had our work cut out to read and discuss all of the amazing poetry you sent! Many of you clearly love writing as much as you love gardening, plants, and the outdoors. We read about glories and frustrations, songs of celebration, messages of faith, tales of grief and loss, hilarious poems, poignant poems, and a couple of passionate ones that made us blush!
Once narrowed down to a group of finalists, we picked our favorites and a clear winner quickly emerged. Congratulations to Irma Souveroff, who won a $100 Park Seed gift certificate for her poem seen below. All poetry from the final round has been posted to SuccesswithSeed.org. Thanks to everyone who participated!
He clasps the nodding chamomile like a king's nosegay,
Worthy of the garnering
And smiles on the lamb's-ears
In anticipation of their wooliness.
We take the path of worn brick, sunk in moss
And wander through long years of monkish endeavors:
Here, chives, purple-topped;
Here, Ophelia's rue, soon to be studded with yellow crosses.
Remembering, I kneel for parsley and a sprig of lovage
For tonight's stewpot.
"Lovage" is breathed aloud, and
When he looks my way,
"Lovage," I echo. "Lovage...with you, always.
"Lovage, not borage. Never borage."
A solemn twinkle for reward,
An encircling arm, and from nowhere
a chaplet of lemony melissa
settles on my hair.
I look a question. "A token of my lovage," says he
As his arm tightens, just a little.
— Irma Souveroff |
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All month long we've been emailing each other in rhymes, meter, and haiku. In celebration of the Ode to My Garden poetry contest going on with you, our readers, we decided to have a little fun ourselves and so our department began its own Haiku competition. We ended up with everything from observances out the window, meeting reminders, status reports, our gardens at home...you name it.
The problem is, once you start... we've found you just can't stop. Here is just a taste.
Gardening in fall
Is just like a second spring
But much messier |
There are hosta blooms
right outside of my window
Eeee! They are so cute! |
Hooray -- new salepage!
Good thing Audra does them now
So I don't forget |
What a disaster
Poor old Cotoneaster
Could it die faster?
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The brown thumb of my
Ancestors stalks innocent
Plants in my garden. |
Big plants, little plants
I love them though they scare me
They need googly eyes |
Got lots done this week
But now that it's Friday I
Can't remember what |
Yummy Tofurkey
Left on the counter at home
No lunch for me now
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Oh Philodendron,
People punch holes in your leaves
in the shape of leaves. |
Holidays are here?
But it's only October!
That can't be right, guys. |
They gave me a phone.
I don't want this silly thing.
I hate telephones. |
No work can get done
When there's too many meetings
Want to go outside?
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Gardens are great places for learning, and open our minds to a world of natural wonder. Have your child or student submit a short essay (or teachers submit one for your classroom) explaining why his or her class would benefit by using gardening.
The grand prize-winning class will receive a $150 Park Seed gift certificate to start a classroom garden and will be featured in a future issue of Park News! Four other classes (one each from groups K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will receive a $25 gift certificate. More info on how to enter can be found on Parkseed.com.
Please enjoy this contest suggestion as it was sent to us, shown right, earlier this month.
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Might it be cool
To nominate your school?
To send in your teacher,
Tell us how to reach her,
and then when we're done,
Find one class that has won
A prize of plants and seeds
And other gardening needs!
Could be random drawing or essay,
Whatever's the best way.
Then throughout the year
I'll blog about them here,
sharing pictures and stories
Of their gardening glories.
I hope you like this theme...
Just another hare-brained scheme.
That's all for today
from your friend, CFK.
Claire Kuhl
Parkseedmemories.com |
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 We're already starting to see the first brilliant splashes of fall foliage color here in Greenwood, SC, and now is a great time to plant trees and shrubs that will provide even more late-season interest in your own garden. As gorgeous as all those fiery scarlet, russet, and gold leaves are, try to think beyond foliage for fall beauty. There are also bulbs that bloom in fall - Cyclamen and Saffron Crocus - and many shrubs bear showy berries (Viburnums), hips (some Roses), or seedheads (Clematis) this time of year.
Also, don't forget to order your spring-blooming bulbs soon and get them in the ground before freezing weather arrives! Be sure to amend heavy soils before planting to keep the bulbs from sitting in too much moisture, and sprinkle some bonemeal in the hole at planting time to help foster vigorous root development.
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 Unexpected things happen around cameras. It's not always dewdrops on pretty strawberries, or sunshine through the backs of Canna leaves. Unexpected things can happen, and hopefully the camera is there to catch it.
For example, kitty doesn't always understand what you are asking of her. (This was one of our favorite photos from what can only be described as an unsuccessful photo shoot.)
So... how would YOU caption this photo? Let us know!
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Keep your eyes peeled for Park products featured in these national and local gardening publications!
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| Fresh Harvest-themed desktop wallpapers for Fall 2008! |
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| Pumpkin Lil' Pumpkemon |
Maroon Bat Plant |
Amaranthus 'Autumn's Touch' |
Gloriosa Daisy Autumn Colors |
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Call Center Open on Weekends!
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Extended Hours!
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
800-213-0076
When Will My Order Ship? Seeds and supplies will ship promptly.
Plants, bulbs, and trees ship at the proper time for your zone.
Follow this link for more information. |
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Park Seed Co.
The Best Flowers & Vegetables
1 Parkton Ave. | Greenwood, SC 29647
800-213-0076 www.parkseed.com
info@parkscs.com
Copyright 2001-2008 Geo. W. Park Seed Co.
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