Well, it's finally here! The seeds have been selected, the pictures have been taken, and the proofs have been proofed, and we are delighted with this catalog! New and seasoned gardeners alike will be excited by the veggies and flowers available for Spring 2009, because we certainly are! I do believe Stephanie Turner, our Director of Horticulture for Seed, has outdone herself this time, bringing you almost 100 exciting new seeds for your enjoyment! And just look at that cover shot — have you ever seen anything more adorable?! The best part is I think we've got those two kids hooked on gardening already. They surely did have a good time potting up those plants. So request your catalog today and start planning!

Wait for it, wait for it...

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for our Spring Planting Catalog 2009 for all your returning favorites and new (over 150!) perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and trees! We even have a few tropical plants thrown in there to let you create a lush paradise right on your own patio. But one of the most exciting things we have this year is the introduction of Park's first-ever exclusive roses! These roses are in limited supply, so demand will be high! So keep your eyes peeled and request this catalog as soon as it becomes available for mailing. In the meantime, however, you can peruse both of our catalogs online!

Victory Gardens, also known as liberty gardens, food gardens for defense, or war gardens, arose during World War I and World War II in order to lessen the pressure of the public food supply created by the war effort. These gardens were planted in backyards, on apartment-building rooftops, and in vacant lots that were commandeered for the war effort. Even public places such as Hyde Park in London, the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and the lawns around Riverside in New York City, had sections plowed up to grow various fruits, veggies, and herbs. Eleanor Roosevelt even got involved in bringing gardening to the home front, by growing a Victory Garden on the White House grounds! The Federal Government and private organizations, such as businesses, civic groups, and schools, promoted this idea through the use of posters, pamphlets, and other propaganda.

In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest in the Victory Garden once again, and here at Park Seed we are doing everything we can to get more people involved in this effort! With a shaky economy, high gas prices, and more and more processed foods filling the grocery store shelves, there's no better time to bring gardening back in the form of personal and community gardens. Not only will it save you money, but it will also provide you with season after season of healthy, delicious food! These days, we all understand the importance of eating better, and it starts at home! Another advantage to growing your own food is the satisfaction of being self-sufficient. With a home garden, you'll know you can provide good food for your family and teach your children the joys of gardening, a skill that will benefit them the rest of their lives!

So Park Seed is picking up the reins of our fellow citizens and gardeners of old, and we're promoting the Victory Garden. We've brought back some classic images in the form of our new Garden for Victory T-Shirts (I think we'd wear them every day if we could!) and our Victory Garden Plaques. These beautiful decorations harken back to the 1940's era, with vintage colors and attractive weathering. They are a wonderful way to display your commitment to healthier living and self-sufficiency! And they make great gifts for those gardeners in your life! So join us in saying, "Welcome to my garden!"

December 7 — National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day — This day is held in memoriam of the 2350 US citizens who died and the 1178 injured on that early Sunday morning, as the Japanese military attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, HI. It was the beginning of the United States' role in World War II. So let's honor those lost and injured that day, and show all of our veterans how much we appreciate the sacrifices they, and their families, have made for us!
December 12 — National Poinsettia Day — You know Christmas is just around the corner when you start seeing these gorgeous plants appear in the grocery stores! Other than the stunning blooms of the Amaryllis, no other plant says "Happy Holidays!" like a poinsettia!
December 17 — Clean Air Day — I think this one speaks for itself! On this day, everyone is asked to do what they can to keep the air clean, so that means things like driving less (or not at all!) and not burning wood, trash, etc. Hey! Maybe this would even be a good day for those of you who've been waiting for just the right moment to quit smoking to drop that pack into the trash bin! Cleaner air for you and everyone else!
December 21 — Hanukkah — Also known as the Festival of Lights, this eight-day Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The festival is observed by the lighting of a special candelabrum, known as a Menorah or Hanukiah. One candle is lighted on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. Happy Hannukah, Everyone!
December 21 — Winter Solstice (first day of Winter) — Ah, there's something magical in the very words "Winter Solstice". Makes me think of ice and bonfires and the Northern Lights, for some reason. The Winter Solstice occurs when the sun's position in the sky is at its greatest distance from the observer on the other side of the equatorial plane. It's during the shortest day or the longest night of the year. And it's a great time for stargazing, in my experience! If the sky is clear tonight, take advantage of it, and grab a blanket, a lawn chair, some hot cocoa, and someone to share it with, and sit out under the night sky to appreciate the immensity of the heavens!
December 23 — Festivus — Calling all Seinfeld fans! All right, you know you love this episode. How can you not? Festivus, that ultimate of ridiculous holidays that calls for an aluminum pole instead of a tree or other form of decoration. And yes the pole is thoroughly unadorned, for as Frank Costanza states, tinsel is "distracting!" And then don't forget the festive activities that include the Airing of Grievances, where you are required to tell those around you how they've disappointed you over the last year! Oh, yes, and we cannot fail to mention my personal favorite, the Feats of Strength, where the head of the household chooses someone attending the celebrations and challenges that person to a wrestling match. Festivus only ends when the head of the household is pinned! Wow, what a great holiday! I wonder how an aluminum pole will look next to my Christmas tree?
December 25 — Christmas Day — The ultimate day of celebration for Christians around the world, as well as for those that simply want to honor those they love and share a spirit of giving and selflessness. Merry Christmas, Everyone!
December 31 — New Year's Eve — Tomorrow starts another year! Another chance to start diets, start exercising, quit smoking, or do that feng shui thing with your home décor! And tonight is a wonderful excuse to shoot off some fireworks, drink some bubbly, sing a really bad version of Auld Lang Syne, and stay up way past our bedtime to watch that famous ball drop in Time Square. Good times! Happy New Year!

Just because the weather is turning chilly, that doesn't mean gardening ceases. There is still plenty to do — pruning, raking leaves (which can be composted for nutrient-rich food for your spring garden!), limbing trees, and the most fun, figuring out what to plant in spring! Chris Browne, our Trial Gardens Manager, is staying busy with all of the above and more! Check out his blog for a little more detail and some helpful tips you can use in your garden this winter.

And here are some good December gardening activities, just in case you didn't already have enough to do!

• Create a landscape design that can be put into practice in the spring.
• Order any supplies you will be needing for your spring plans.
• Repair, clean, and store any equipment you won't be needing again until spring. This is a great time to find good prices on gardening tools, etc!
• Tip pruning — this is a good way to get natural materials for wreaths and other garden-inspired holiday decorations. And as long as you only prune the tips of the trees, you won't have to worry about causing new growth before the plant is ready.
• Plant your spring-flowering bulbs. There's still time to put together a stunning spring display in containers if your ground is already frozen.
• Continue your mulching and composting activities. Mulch keeps roots warm and happy, and you'll be needing that rich compost for your spring garden.
• Continue raking, mowing, and watering during dry spells.

What better way to teach your kids about nature, the cycle of life, and the joy of self-sufficiency, than through gardening? There's something wonderfully satisfying about playing in the dirt and getting completely grubby on a perfect spring morning! Or most any morning, for that matter! And your kids instinctively know this joy. Put a white shirt and a clean pair of pants on them, and the only thing they want to do is go dig holes in the backyard! Right?

So why not cultivate that desire to get dirty and put some kid-sized gardening tools and some seeds in their hands? They'll have fun while learning about germination. The hands-on science lessons they'll be learning will never be forgotten, as they see first-hand the importance of the sun and water on growing a living thing. And once the veggies or flowers are grown, they'll be so proud of themselves! They did something important and valuable. You'll have created a gardener for life. And one thing you can say about a gardener is they'll always be able to provide for themselves. And can you think of a better way to teach your kids about eating healthy food than showing them how to grow their own? They'll learn the value of hard work, they'll eat better, for the rest of their lives, and they'll remain active. Once you get the gardening bug, it never lets you go! So, get those kids out there and let 'em get dirty!

Visit our Park Seed Memories to see some of our own workers and customers as their kids, or they themselves as little ones, learned the joy of playing in the dirt!

We had a great time going through the entries for this contest. Each one was special in its own way, and when it came down to decision time, I can honestly say we had a hard time choosing. It was obvious to us that our customers are not only artistic, but that they also really enjoy the fall season and are quite talented at getting the most out of it!

So even though we absolutely LOVED every single harvest décor photo that was entered, we had no choice but to pick a winner. So, the winner is Barbara Stolarski, who submitted her Homegrown Still Life. Congratulations Barbara! Wow - what a gorgeous display! Anybody would be lucky to have that centerpiece gracing his or her home this holiday season. Barbara will be receiving a $100 Park Seed Gift Certificate!

Congratulations Barbara, and thank you again to everyone who submitted photos! They were all delightful, and we wish you all a happy and safe holiday! To see more of the pictures submitted, visit Park Seed Memories.

We know you're garden-savvy, but now we want you to prove it! Take our Garden Trivia Quiz for a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Park Seed! 3 lucky winners will be randomly selected from those who answer all the questions correctly.

Here are the questions:
1. What is the red part of a Poinsettia called?
2. What is the most popular variety of fresh Christmas tree?
3. What is the common name of plants in the genus Schlumbergia?
4. To what plant family do Amaryllis belong?
5. What type of tree was just used in Rockefeller Plaza?

So, go ahead, test your gardening knowledge, and you just might win yourself a nice gift to get your spring garden off to a beautiful start! Contest ends January 1, 2009! More info on how to enter can be found on Parkseed.com.

Amaryllis — the ultimate living holiday gift, and the easiest! These stunning blooms are probably the most recognizable flowers seen around the Thanksgiving-through-New Year season. They are given and received by friends, family, and co-workers, and every single year, in many cases! Amaryllis truly are a tradition for millions of people, and it's not difficult to see why.

Of all the flowering bulbs available, Amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom. They can be grown indoors and out, although for most of us, it's the flowers that grace our homes during the holiday season that interest us most. Here are some easy-to-follow instructions for planting and caring for your precious Amaryllis:

Indoors — Plant your bulb in a pot that's about 2 inches larger in diameter than the bulb itself. Preferably use a pot that has a hole to ensure proper drainage. They should be planted 4 to 6 weeks before blooms are desired (some Amaryllis take longer to bloom, so always check the planting directions on your particular variety) with one-third of the bulb protruding above the soil. You will want to water well at the time of planting, but then only sparingly until growth begins, when you can gradually start watering more. Place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is required for the development of the stems. Ideal temperature is between 68 and 70 degrees F. For continual blooms throughout the holiday season, plant in intervals of 2 weeks.

Outdoors — In zones 7 (with protection) through 10, Amaryllis may be planted outdoors in a well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny to partly shaded area. Place the bulbs with their tips slightly below the soil. After they've bloomed and the leaves have died away, do not water again until the following autumn.

Now just stand back and be amazed! Amaryllis grow so quickly, you can actually watch their progress! In fact, it's a great thing for your kids to see. Growing an Amaryllis is like a quick and beautiful science lesson. I recommend once your bulbs have started to grow, give the kids a ruler and let them record the growth every day. It's also fun to set up a little competition — plant several and see whose grows the fastest and whose blooms first! And the end result will be a parade of brilliant color to decorate your holiday celebrations!

Another great thing about Amaryllis is that you can put the bulbs up after they're done blooming, and they'll stay dormant until next fall when you need another boost of blazing color to warm those cold days! Clean the bulbs and store them on their sides in a cool, dry, dark place, such as the crisper of your refrigerator for a minimum of 6 weeks. Be sure you do not store your Amaryllis bulbs with apples, as this will sterilize the bulbs. After 6 weeks any can take the bulbs out whenever you want to plant them!

• Magnolia 'Little Gem' was featured in Chesapeake Home
• Park's Seed Tapes were featured in San Diego Union Tribune
• Muhly Grass 'White Cloud' was featured in Oklahoma Gardening Magazine
• Globe Amaranth All Around Purple was featured on www.MuskogeePhoenix.com
  

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

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.

To ensure E-Newsletter delivery, please add info@parkscs.com to your address book.

Please Note: You are receiving this e-mail because you have ordered from Park Seed, Wayside Gardens, or Jackson & Perkins in the past, are a current Park Seed, Wayside Gardens, or Jackson & Perkins customer or newsletter subscriber, or you have provided Park Seed, Wayside Gardens, or Jackson & Perkins with your e-mail address. If you no longer wish to be on the mailing list to receive eNewsletters from Park Seed, please follow this link now.