The efforts

and contributions of gardeners were first celebrated by a 1986 Presidential

proclamation creating the first National Garden Week. Some 23 co-sponsoring

national horticultural organizations, under the direction of National

Garden Bureau, made official what gardeners have known for centuries:

gardening connects people to the earth and to other people in ways that

can transform lives.

But why celebrate

gardening now?

Gardening touches

almost every aspect of society. In urban neighborhoods gardening has been

proven to reduce crime. Research shows patients who garden recover more

quickly and feel more hopeful.

Educators overwhelmingly

report that behavioral problems diminish and responsibility flourishes

in children s gardens. Gardening has been shown to improve the quality

of life for elders and to decrease recidivism of prison inmates. This

is the power of gardening.

"In these

times of conflict and uncertainty, we know that gardens are healing and

create connections within families and neighborhoods," said Valerie

Kelsey, president of the nonprofit organization founded in 1972 to "promote

gardens for all."

"We saw

the strength of gardening in the aftermath of Sept. 11 as people looked

to each other, first for solace, and then for the comfort of community,"

she explained. "Millions flocked to public gardens to express this

need to reconnect and to heal. It is our dream to again make gardening

an important part of community life in this country."

NGA envisions

children, teachers, senior citizens, home gardeners, public garden employees

joining forces with green organizations, such as the American Horticultural

Society, Plant a Row for the Hungry and the California Association of

Nurseryman & Garden Centers to celebrate this power.

Picture students

planting rose gardens at their schools. Imagine hospital patients planting

rooftop gardens. Think about urban grandmothers and neighborhood children

working side by side to restore vacant lots. Now you can see thousands

of Americans joining together planting seeds, flowers, bulbs and trees,

bringing joy and harmony to those around them.

Events being

planned across the nation to celebrate America's favorite pastime include

the "Learning with Roses" grant program that awards Star Rose

gardens to schools, flower and gardening heritage festivals, and design

workshops to help people garden no matter where they live.

Groups are

encouraged to post activities on the National Garden Month calendar at

www.garden.org. "Green groups" can create links to their own

Web sites for gardeners in their areas to access and learn about local

events. Schools can download applications to win a Star Rose garden. Public

gardens can find information on the site where they can get a free National

Garden Month banner.

The site also

feature suggested garden-related events and activities for all gardeners,

educators, retailers and other interest groups. Powerful and inspirational

essays are also posted on the site.

This is the

vision that drives National Garden Month 2003. Organizers, including sponsors

Simply Beautiful annuals (www.simplybeautifulgardens.com) Star Roses (www.starroses.com),

Soil Soup compost tea brewers (www.soilsoup.com/) and WOLF-Garten tools

(www.wolf-garten.com), see gardening as a way to bring us together as

members of communities and, ultimately, as one nation.

The National

Gardening Association (NGA) was founded as a not-for-profit organization

in 1972 to spearhead the community garden movement. NGA is best known

today for its educational programs, two Web sites (Garden.org and Kidsgardening.com),

and consumer research on gardening trends.

"The goal

of this year's National Garden Month is to reach non-gardeners and gardeners

alike to emphasize the health, nurturing, spirit of sharing and simple

beauty of gardening," Kelsey said. "We believe with every new

person we reach, a potential gardener for life is possible, and a community

grows more closely linked."

Schools, botanical

gardens and garden centers should all tune in to www.garden.org and or

the latest news and events planned for National Garden Month 2003.

For more information

call NGA 802- 863-5251, ext. 129 or [email protected] or Garden Media Group,

610-388-9330 or [email protected].

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