Our Garden for Victory T-shirts are here and available for sale! We are so excited to be able to offer these fun and unique shirts to our fellow gardeners.

Many of you probably read in previous Park News editions the story behind them, but for those who don't know it, the brief version is this: last year we'd been talking about the idea of a modern Victory Garden movement for home gardeners when we came across some old woodcuts in our attic, one which displayed the image you see on these shirts! It just seemed like fate that we should discover this very design as we were discussing the current relevance of the Victory Gardening concept.

Well, since we got the first shirts (just a few to see how we liked them!) they have become so popular not only here at Park Seed but throughout the community, we decided it would be a great idea to let others share in the fun! We have several great colors in a variety of sizes, so go ahead, pick the one that's just right for you, and show the world you're proud to be a gardener!

The ancient Native American technique of growing Corn, Beans, and Squash together in an arrangement called the Three Sisters is the ultimate in companion planting and helps increase harvests, naturally!

Corn acts as a support for climbing bean vines, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil for the high feeding requirements of corn and squash, and the squash provides mulch and root protection for the corn and beans! After cooperating beautifully in the garden, corn and beans form a complete protein when eaten together! How's that for a mutually beneficial relationship?

The Three Sisters are all easy to direct sow in the garden and are a great project for children, teaching them about the beauty of natural harmony while providing a fast-growing reward for their efforts.

Make the best possible use of your garden space this season, and try growing the Three Sisters! Just follow the easy steps on this page, fertilize well, plant other companions like herbs to assist with pest control, and you'll be harvesting your best crop in no time!

Container gardening is growing in popularity, for several reasons. More and more people are living in apartments and homes that have limited or no land with which to garden, smaller space results in smaller cost, the care of your plants requires less time and energy, and your displays can be a work of art. Also, the idea of growing vegetables and flowers in pots and containers is appealing to those with poor soil, cooks — gourmet and otherwise — who want fresh herbs and veggies within easy reach, and the elderly and disabled, who find this type of gardening easier and more accessible. And of course, don't forget those of us who are just so in love with growing things, that we have to fill every available space with something green and blooming!

There really are no hard-and-fast rules to container gardening. It basically comes down to whatever you want to do. However, there are some gardening trends that are resulting in some truly beautiful displays.

Whether you choose to group the plants together as shown (thrillers, spillers and fillers in one pot), or put each type of plant in a separate pot, then group the pots however you'd like, a great rule of thumb is to vary your selections in color, texture and form. So simple, yet stunning!

There are lots of methods of container gardening that have remained popular throughout the years because they're beautiful, easy, and allow for endless creativity!

Here are a few tips on how to create your own unique container design:

1. Choose an appropriate pot size based upon the mature size of the plants you've selected.
2. Grow tropical or tender plants in lightweight containers that can be easily moved indoors for enjoyment through the winter and back out to the garden once warm weather returns.
3. Plant one specimen per pot for an elegant focal point or use plants of varying heights for a lush display. Remember it this way - thrillers, spillers, and fillers. Pick out your dramatic piece — a tall, eye-grabbing "thriller." You can choose it for size, foliage, texture, color, or bloom — whatever makes you look at it and stop in your tracks! Next, pick out your "spillers" — plants that trail along the sides. These can be multiples of one type of plant or several different varieties. Usually the smaller the container, the fewer varieties you'll put in, so it doesn't become too "busy." Last comes your "fillers" — they do just that, fill in space. Once again, you can choose multiples of one variety or several different ones.
4. Whatever your design, if you want dramatic impact, plant contrasting colors. For a harmonious effect, use analogous colors such as red, orange, and yellow, or monochromatic (shades of just one color) schemes.
   

We ask for savvy seed-starting kits and you did not disappoint us! Thank you so much to all of you for sharing your clever ideas for homemade seed-sprouting tools. You've proven that gardeners can take everyday objects and turn them into something cost-effective and quite useful!

As much as we would have loved to award prizes to everyone who entered, we could only pick 5. Our Grand Prize winner is Starr Pease, of Calimesa, California! Congratulations, Starr, you'll be receiving a $50 Park Seed Gift Certificate.

And the 4 Runners Up are Denise DeVault, of Morgantown, WV; Harley Frederickson, of Sexsmith, AB; Dawn Pannozza, of Naugatuck, CT; and Sherry Post, of Fairview, PA. You will each receive a $25 Park Seed Gift Certificate. Congratulations to all our winners and thank you again to everyone who participated! It's time to go get those seeds started!!

See the winners' savvy seed-starting ideas on ParkSeedJournal.com!

We know that anyone who's been gardening for a while, and probably even those who are newcomers, have that ONE tip they'd love to share with others. It doesn't matter what it is; whether it's a "Do this..." tip or a "Never do this..." tip, it just has to be your NUMBER 1 bit of gardening advice!

So if you could provide ONE gardening tip, what would it be? We are going to pick the top 10 best tips, and each of those 10 lucky winners will receive a $10 Park Seed Gift Certificate and have their tips published in an upcoming issue of Park News! You have until March 31 to enter. More info on how to enter can be found on ParkSeed.com. Good luck!

You won't get bored this month — there's a ton to do and celebrate! For weeklong fun, you can watch the Iditarod, enjoy a case of healthy spring fever, or go hang out a farmers' market or agricultural fair in celebration of National Agriculture Week. And if you're looking for something to get involved with throughout the entire month, March is National Women's History Month and American Red Cross Month. Get out there and have fun!

March 1 — Beer Day — An Icelandic holiday celebrating the end of a 74-year prohibition on beer. (And a great excuse to go raise a frosty mug!)

March 8 — Daylight Savings Time — Set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on the 7th! Sorry, ya'll, you're going to lose an hour of sleep!

March 9 — Panic Day — We know you've been trying not to panic, but today's the day to let go and freak out about whatever's driving you crazy!

March 9 — Napping Day — Not only do they feel wonderful, but they're good for you!

March 11 — Johnny Appleseed Day — One of America's great legends, Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) traveled west during the early 1800's, planting apple trees along the way.

March 17 — St. Patrick's Day — Don't forget to wear your green!

March 19 — Companies that Care Day — This annual national event encourages employers to recognize those who make their companies successful as well as expand activities that strengthen the local community.

March 20 — Vernal Equinox (First day of Spring) — On this date, day and night are nearly the same length as the Sun crosses the celestial equator. It marks the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Daylily 'On and On' was featured in The Herald
• Stephanie Turner was featured in an article about growing tomatoes in Chicago Tribune
• Stephanie was also interviewed about trendy old-fashioned gardening in The Newark Advocate
• Cauliflower Graffiti Hybrid was featured in Daily Herald
  

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Plants, bulbs, and trees ship at the proper time for your zone.
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Park Seed Co.
The Best Flowers & Vegetables
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800-213-0076 www.parkseed.com
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