Come Down to Earth and Plant a Unity Garden: A Symbol of Humanity's Common Ground

South Burlington, VT ( April, 2003) - As National Garden Month approaches, National Gardening Association (NGA) asks gardeners everywhere to plant Unity Gardens.

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Contact: Rose Getch
(800) 538-7476, ext. 129
rose@garden.org

Come Down to Earth and Plant a Unity Garden: A Symbol of Humanity's Common Ground

South Burlington, VT (April, 2003) - As National Garden Month approaches, National Gardening Association (NGA) asks gardeners everywhere to plant Unity Gardens.

First there were Liberty Gardens, conceived during World War I. World War II ushered in the Victory Garden. Both of these campaigns were promoted by the federal government with the dual purpose of urging people to be self-sufficient during a time when resources were scarce, and to rally citizens in patriotic activity.

"Now is the time for unity, and gardens have the ability to bring us together on common ground," explains Valerie Kelsey, president of NGA. "In these times of conflict and uncertainty, gardening activities can help us find stability in community."

On one level, a Unity Garden expresses the needs we share as human beings: the needs for food, fresh air, exercise, and healing. It also embodies how gardens satisfy our impulses to be productive, to nurture living things, and to leave a healthy and beautiful legacy - something to be proud of. On a deeper level, it symbolizes our desire to work together to make the world a better place.

What does a Unity Garden look like? It's less about design, and more about attitude. It includes all cultural and political interests and crosses over all social and religious boundaries. Gardening is all-inclusive.

The main idea is to find a way to share with others what is important to you about gardening: give plants from your garden to a neighbor; add an extra row in your vegetable garden for a food shelf; plant a butterfly garden with an afterschool program; invite some kids in from the neighborhood to enjoy a garden tea party; join with a group and plant flowers in a vacant lot. Be it creative or simple, find a way to spread this "growing" spirit.

For more ideas on how to connect through your Unity Garden, visit "101 Ways to Celebrate" at the National Garden Month Web site: www.garden.org. Send in your ideas and post them on our garden message board.

Join NGA as we celebrate humanity's common ground through gardening. Plan your Unity Garden today!