For Immediate Release                         Media Contact: Barb DeGroot, 952-443-1459

Arboretum's Children's Garden Connects Kids with Nature, Good Food

Chanhassen, Minn. (March 15, 2010) - On March 22, the first parsley seeds will be planted in the squishy soil of the greenhouse inside the Arboretum's Learning Center. Then, a week later, green pepper and basil seeds will be planted, followed in April by the sowing of little seeds of Swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes.      

This annual ritual marks the beginning great summer adventure known as the Children's Garden at the Arboretum. 

The seedlings, once they sprout and grow, will be transplanted into an outdoor garden plot by Children's Garden participants on Saturdays in May. 

When school lets out for the summer, the fun really begins… as the young gardeners meet  weekly or semi-weekly to tend their plots, learn about creatures in the soil, study leaves and plant parts under the microscope and prepare tasty, nutritious snacks from their weekly garden harvest.     

Connecting with nature, playing in the outdoors, learning science and botany first-hand, making tasty snacks from the plants you grow…These are just a few of "nature's gifts" harvested in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Children's Garden program, which is now accepting enrollments. 

The Children's Garden program begins in May (see attached schedule for details) and continues through mid-August with sessions for ages pre-K through grade-8 youth. It is just part of the Arboretum's extensive summer camp programming for ages 4 through 14.

Young participants in the Children's Garden program come away with a bumper crop of confidence, science smarts and an appreciation for nature … plus some great-looking vegetables!

Other program benefits?  "The Children’s Garden is the perfect place for kids to get their hands on nature, really interact with it, and see what happens as seeds sprout, grow and change through the summer. Gardening is a hands-on lesson in human connection to the Earth," said Randy Gage, Children's Garden coordinator. 

For a schedule of the Children's Garden sessions and other Arboretum summer day camps and to register, please visit www.arboretum.umn.edu and click on "Learn" or call 952-443-1422.                   -30-

((Editors:  Please contact Barb DeGroot, PR Specialist, at 952-443-1459 to set up an interview with Randy Gage and/or Children's Garden volunteers or participants.  We can arrange fun photo ops with the volunteers as they plant seeds in the greenhouse on Monday mornings in March and April to prepare for the upcoming Children's Garden season. Thanks!))