• Dynamic workshops and keynote speakers
  • Breakout sessions aimed at specific business segments and interests
  • Keynotes by L. Hunter Lovins of Natural Capitalism Solutions and Wal-Mart’s Don Moseley
  • A “Nashville Sessions” series, focused on best practices and future opportunities in Middle Tennessee
• Special, Earth Day Leadership Breakfast featuring Mayor Karl Dean and the second annual Waste Management Green Business Leadership Awards
• B2B exhibits and an all-new Living Well Sustainable Marketplace consumer expo

The City of Lebanon, the Wilson County Stormwater Group and the Cumberland River Compact are teaming up with the Kiwanis during the Middle Tennessee Stream Clean Up Month. The groups will host a clean up on Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. until noon. This will be the fourth annual stream clean-up season for the city. The clean up staging area will be at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center off Castle Heights Avenue in Lebanon.

This year, the Kiwanis approached the city with a desire to participate in Lebanon's vast environmental outreach programs.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. Helping the community by cleaning up the environment, Kiwanis representatives said, is a perfect way to improve the world for children. Local Kiwanis members chose this opportunity during the Kiwanis One Day, an effort to improve communities by working "One Day" with other clubs across the world.

"Protecting the environment with innovative partnerships and projects is a priority for the city," James Vaden, Lebanon's Stormwater Coordinator, said. "We appreciate the efforts of our partners, including Kiwanis, for making these clean ups a success, year after year."

For more information about this unique opportunity, please contact Vena Jones at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and take part in providing a healthier watershed for the entire community.

(ARA) - Gardening is becoming more popular than ever, thanks to a number of converging circumstances, including the First Lady's planting of a White House organic garden. Because of the sagging economy, people want to save money anywhere they can, and vegetable gardening is a great way to save money on foods that can be costly. Additionally, more and more people want to live a "green" lifestyle, and you can't get more local than picking vegetables right in your back yard. Plus, when you start an organic garden, it's even more environmentally friendly.

When you start on your way to growing healthy garden fruits and vegetables, keep in mind that tending an organic garden has special requirements and poses some different challenges than conventional gardens do. However, the increased popularity of organic gardening has led to some great innovative products that can help you maintain your plot without adding harmful chemicals.

Whether you live within city limits or in a more bucolic setting, it's always fun to see wildlife - just not when they're munching on your zucchini or stealing your strawberries. For most organic gardeners, the goal is to get rid of overly curious garden guests, but without forcing them to ingest poisons or other chemicals that can hurt them.

One of the most trusted ways to keep a strictly organic garden free from unwelcome animal browsers is with the Swedish-developed, garden pest repellent Plantskydd (pronounced "plant-skid" - a Swedish word meaning "plant-protection"). Sweden's reputation as a rigorously green-minded country comes through in these non-toxic repellents, which were the first deer and rabbit repellents to be listed by the USDA-approved Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI), as "suitable for use in the production of food and fiber." Plantskydd's 100 percent organic ingredients make it safe to use around pets and children, but it's also effective in that it won't wash away in the rain, giving your garden longer-lasting protection.

Claude Boisvert, president of Tree World Plant Care Products, Inc., says Plantskydd does double duty as a garden pest repellent and fertilizer. "Because it's a blood meal-derived product, it provides the nutrients necessary for plants to grow strong and produce abundantly, in addition to repelling garden pests like deer and rabbits," Boisvert says. "It's been lauded for its repelling effectiveness by forestry experts, the National Home Gardening Club, as well as soil and water conservation districts throughout the United States."

Other ways to protect your garden include putting netting over the plants that birds, rabbits and other critters favor. Look for netting with small holes that you can spread over strawberry patches, or wire that you can circle around delicate vegetables.

When selecting solutions for feeding or protecting your garden, be sure to do your research and find out the true certification status of products you buy. As the move toward growing one's own organic food becomes mainstream, some repellent manufacturers, who use non-certified ingredients, use terms such as "all natural," or "environment friendly" on package labels in an attempt to associate their products with this "organic" trend. OMRI continues to be a good resource for learning about which products are truly safe and organic.

If you're concerned about your family's health and that of the planet, planting an organic garden is the way to go. You'll not only be able to harvest delicious, nutritive foods right in your backyard, but you'll also be doing your part to foster a healthier environment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The beautiful gardens at the 2010 Nashville Lawn & Garden Show will be the setting for complimentary Garden Party receptions on the evenings of Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6, in celebration of the show's 21st anniversary. The Garden Party reception on Friday, March 5, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., will feature complimentary wine tastings, sponsored by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly of California. The Garden Party on Saturday, March 6, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., will feature wine tastings plus free tea tastings by Partner's Tea Company and Fair Trade Teas of Nashville, a complimentary selection of healthy food tastings prepared with ingredients provided by local growers and businesses, and entertainment by guitarist Alan Powell. The wine, tea and food will be offered at various locations throughout the live garden displays at the show. In addition, beginning at 5 p.m., on both March 5 and 6, all admission tickets are buy one/get one free (one purchase per person).

"Outdoor lifestyles, garden settings and the enjoyment of food and beverages are a natural combination," said Randall Lantz, co-manager of the Nashville Lawn & Garden Show, which is the largest gardening event in Tennessee. "In fact, more and more gardeners are incorporating vineyards into their gardens and also adding edible plants into their ornamental landscape. The Garden Party on March 5 and 6 will be a wonderful way to celebrate the show's 21st anniversary."

During the garden party, Barefoot Cellars will serve complimentary two-ounce samples of five different Barefoot Cellars wines with proof of ID. Glasses of Barefoot Cellars Wines also will be available for purchase, with proof of ID, at concessions located throughout the show. The tea tastings provided by Partner's Tea Company will include a variety of teas from around the world. Gabrielle Mittelstaedt, Tom Lazzaro and representatives of other local vendors will prepare the food tastings. The ingredients for food tastings will be provided by Lazzaroli Pasta, Turnip Truck Natural Market, Long Hungry Creek Farm, Delvin Farms, Noble Springs Dairy, Toney's Naturals, Chilly Pops, The Farm in Summertown, Olive St. Clair, Silke's Bread, Love Water and Bonnie Blue Goat Cheese.

Artistic by Nature is the theme of the 21st Annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show, opening on Thursday, March 4, and running through Sunday, March 7, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The show is produced by the Horticultural Association of Tennessee and is presented by REGIONS Bank; show proceeds will be used to help increase the urban forestry canopy in Middle Tennessee and to provide "green" education.

The 2010 Nashville Lawn & Garden Show will feature 26 live gardens, 26 free lectures by expert horticulturalists and garden designers from throughout Tennessee and the U.S.; a floral design gallery displaying an exceptional use of cut flowers in arrangements created by some of the best floral designers in Middle Tennessee; and more than 250 exhibit booths offering an array of products, services, plants and equipment for sale. Parking at the show is FREE. There will also be free demonstrations and discussions by the Davidson County Master Gardeners.

The Nashville Lawn & Garden Show will open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. each day, except Sunday when the doors will close at 5 p.m. Admission to the show is $10 for adults; $9 for seniors (age 65 and up) and $1 for children 12 and under. Four-day show passes are $15.

A variety of offers are available to purchase tickets at a discount. In celebration of the show's 21st anniversary, anyone who presents a photo driver's license to prove a birth date in 1989 will receive one free admission to the show. $2 discount coupons for show admission are available at participating branch locations of Regions Bank, the show's sponsor. On March 4, 5 and 6, beginning at 5 p.m., all tickets are buy one/get one free. In addition, $1 discount coupons for show admission are available on the Nashville Lawn & Garden Show website, www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more adults when purchased in a block at the ticket window. Discount coupons and offers cannot be combined.

Tickets may be purchased online via the show's website. All events are indoors, and there is ample free parking. The show is fully handicapped accessible.

More than 22,000 people attended the 2009 show. Proceeds are used by the Horticultural Association of Tennessee to fund horticultural projects throughout Tennessee. For more complete information, call the Nashville Lawn & Garden Show office at 615-876-7680 or visit the show's website.

Representatives of four Wilson County landscaping and gardening companies and a wildlife protection organization recently met to make plans for the 21st Annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show that will be presented March 4 - 7 at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

More than 26 live gardens will be created for the show, which will be staged to the theme Artistic by Nature. The show will also feature free lectures, a floral design gallery and 250 vendor exhibit booths.

Reviewing floorplans for the show are (from left to right): John Lohmann, show chairman; David Wills, Ponds By David in Mt. Juliet; Marty Rush, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Mt. Juliet; Chris Agee, Living Stone in Brush Creek; Chris Ehrhart, Summit Landscaping in Mt. Juliet; and Wesley Wall and Kyle Moss, Roots Outdoor Designs of Lebanon.

For more information about the show, please call 615-876-7680 or visit www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com.

(ARA) - From hardy hybrids to stylish, smart gardens, spring 2010 promises exciting new plants and products for garden lovers everywhere.

"People want easy plants and products that are attractive and good for the environment and perform well in their gardens," says Susan McCoy, garden writer and trend spotter. "And that's what the new plants and products this spring will deliver."

McCoy reveals a few of her favorite garden superstars for spring that will chase away those winter blahs as you get ready to get your hands back in the earth and garden.

Next big thing for small gardens  
McCoy loves the newest Drift Roses from The Conard-Pyle Co., introducer of the famous Knock Out family of roses. A cross between full-size groundcover roses and miniatures, both Sweet Drift and Apricot Drift Roses offer delicate, double flowers and continuous blooming throughout the season. With exceptional disease resistance and winter hardiness, these low-maintenance beauties are the perfect choice for small gardens or along paths and walkways.

Get a jump on spring
Looking to get a jump on spring planting? McCoy suggests FreezePruf - a revolutionary new spray from the Liquid Fence Company (www.liquidfence.com) - that may be the "holy grail" for gardeners. Developed by botanists, FreezePruf protects your lush flower baskets, veggies, herbs and favorite plants from late spring frost/freeze and ice crystal damage. This non-toxic spray can increase a plant's cold tolerance from 2.2 to 9.4 degrees (depending on the plant variety and the length of the frost/freeze event) and give gardeners about two additional weeks of growing and harvesting in spring and fall. It's almost like moving your garden 200 miles further south.

Tickled pink
Pink is the new blue. The first-ever pink blueberry (www.briggsnursery.com) - Vaccinium 'Pink Lemonade' from Briggs Nursery - is one of the most exciting new plants McCoy has seen in years and is a must-have for your garden. 'Pink Lemonade' provides delicious, sweet fruit rich in anti-oxidants, plus four seasons of color: pinkish-white flowers in spring, bright pink fruit in summer, great fall color and dusky auburn stems in winter. Growing about 5 feet around, this showy ornamental looks great as a hedge border or stand-alone shrub with the added benefit of luscious fruit in your cereal or pies - or by the handful. For more information or where to purchase visit www.briggsnursery.com.

Go native, go local
Native plants are clearly the next big thing in gardening, and it's easy to go native with American Beauties native plants (www.ABNativePlants.com). These native shrubs, trees, vines, grasses and perennials are hand-picked for their beauty and low-maintenance, making it simple to attract bees, birds and butterflies to a backyard habitat. The wildlife will appreciate the food and shelter, and when you purchase them, a contribution is made to the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat program (www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife).

Catch daylily fever
Daylily fever is contagious and you're likely to catch the bug as you fall in love with the new fire-engine-red daylily from Centerton Nursery. McCoy digs this new, hardy, early and repeat bloomer - Jersey Earlybird 'Cardinal'- bred by world-renown daylily hybridizer, Dr. Darrel Apps. This easy-care daylily offers early-blooming great color and reblooms multiple times throughout the season. It's pest- and drought-resistant and is perfect in beds, borders and containers. Check it out at www.centertonnursery.com and earlybirddaylily.com.

Smart and simple
Want to bring the outdoors in and grow fresh herbs (www.fertileearth.com) and vegetables in the kitchen or on the balcony? McCoy loves Simple Gardens, the innovative new plant system from Fertile Earth that comes with soil, seeds and a how-to guide packed in stylish square containers. Perfect for indoor gardens or to start seeds. They come in a variety of hip colors and make wonderful gifts. Now it's a snap to grow kitchen gardens in any bright spot -- just add water.

Grow 'em right
The new Organic Mechanics Planting Mix (www.organicmechanicsoil.com) is like having all the goodness of compost in a bag. At planting time, just mix in the nutrient-rich planting mix to revitalize your garden soil. It helps retain moisture and accelerates root-zone establishment for healthier trees, shrubs, fruits, veggies and flowers. Get it this spring in Mid-Atlantic garden centers and Whole Foods stores.

Outdoor designer decor
McCoy loves the latest "designer" doormats from Imports Unlimited (www.wholesaledoormats.com). Made from 100 percent natural coco and mainly recycled rubber, these environmentally friendly eco-mats come in array of popular designs and colors. With over 180 unique patterns to choose from, adding your own personal style, whether it's formal, classical or whimsical, to your outdoor space is now easy and affordable.

All that jazz
For every rose lover, McCoy has discovered a new spray and way to keep roses healthy and strong. Jaz Rose Spray (www.jazsprays.com) naturally reduces damage from disease and common environmental stresses. This new plant-strengthening spray with jasmonate -- which occurs naturally in plants - provides increased resistance to disease, drought, and temperature extremes. Recently endorsed by the American Rose Society (ARS), Jaz Rose Spray boosts your plant's natural resistance to environmental stress and encourages vigorous roots, growth and blooms. For more information visit www.gardenmediagroup.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - The beginning of a new year - and a new decade - is the time many people pledge to live differently. For many, that change means living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability, once only a buzz word, is now fast becoming the way to live consciously.

From reducing your water usage to buying organic, here are 10 simple ways to make 2010 the year of sustainable living:

1. Use water more efficiently: Water is a limited resource and limiting it within your household is a cornerstone of sustainability. Rain barrels, largely unheard of even a decade ago, are becoming a popular way to collect and reuse rainwater for purposes like gardening.  Meanwhile, conserving water in the home by taking shorter showers or even fixing a leaky faucet also can make a difference at a time when many communities are experiencing water shortages or are expressing concerns about water overuse.

2. Compost: Turning over leaves by way of a new compost garden is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. A compost heap is a simple, effective way to collect yard waste, like leaves and grass clippings, and kitchen scraps such as raw vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, and return them to the ground as organic matter.

3. Seek earth-friendly packaging: To better fill that compost heap, alter shopping habits to look for products with compostable packaging. Snyder's of Hanover, for instance, recently introduced a new Pretzel Variety Sack of 100-Calorie Pretzels and Pretzel Sandwiches in the market's first 100 percent compostable outer package made from 100 percent renewable cornstarch-based plastic.  The new Variety Sack includes a special logo indicating that the bag can be composted and is made with sustainable materials. In addition to that example, more manufacturers are switching to cardboard packaging materials, which are made from renewable materials and can be recycled or composted.

4. Buy local, embrace organic: Many farmers, ranchers and, increasingly, food manufacturers, are offering foods and beverages made using sustainable practices. It could be a farmers market tomato, a local dairy's milk, an organic snack food, like new Organic Honey Whole Wheat Sticks and Organic Whole Wheat and Oat Sticks from Snyder's of Hanover, or any number of natural or organic items. The bottom line is that natural, organic and locally produced foods provide both sustenance and sustainability. To learn more about Snyder's of Hanover's sustainability initiatives visit www.snydersofhanover.com/Sustainability/.

5. Go to seed: Take the locally grown movement a step further - like in your own backyard or patio.  An afternoon spent planting seeds or small plants can yield plenty of rewards a few weeks or months later, in the form of fresh, inexpensive and convenient vegetables and fruits.  You don't need a large tract of land, in fact, to start a small  garden.

6. Ride out the trend:  Sustain your own energy level by opting to ride a bike or walk to a destination that isn't all that far away. Add a basket to a bike or take along a backpack to bring something back home.

7. Re-recycle: Recycling is nothing new and most people have been recycling in some form for years. But recycling can be taken to another level, going beyond obvious and traditionally recycled items like soda cans or newspaper to the smallest of waste materials, from plastic straws to the paper straw wrapper. Why not recycle apparel as well, by donating clothes and buying gently used clothes?

8. Plug in: Learn how to operate appliances more efficiently.  For example, use cold water in the washing machine: clothes will still be cleaned, without the use of heated water. Turn off appliances when not in use, whether it's the television, video game player or radio. Better yet, completely unplug. Many electronics and battery chargers continue to draw a small amount of power even when they are switched off. Instead, use a power strip to cut power completely when not in use.

9. Lighten up: Use energy efficient lighting and bulbs when possible and turn off lights when not in a room. That will cut energy use - and the family budget.

10. Get involved: As the sustainability movement gains traction among the public, there are more opportunities to join in. Local communities, schools and organizations often have green committees, and there is a plethora of national and grassroots organizations geared around earth-friendly living that appreciate new volunteers or members.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Middle Tennessee Electric officials want to remind its members that cold weather snaps can push electric bills upwards.

“With much below average temperatures in the forecast, it’s important to remember that we can’t control the weather, but we can curb our home’s energy usage,” MTEMC Communications Coordinator Todd Palmer said. “When temperatures plummet, electric bills typically go up.”

Palmer says that’s because the colder weather makes your heat-and-air units, your homes biggest strain on your electric bill, run a lot harder.

“Since your heat-and-air unit accounts for more than 50 percent of your electric bill, the more it runs, the higher your bill will be,” Palmer said. “Cutting it back even a degree can save you as much as three percent on your home’s electric bills.”

Middle Tennessee Electric serves power to its approximately 180,000 member customers in Cannon, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties.

10 Quick Ways to Save Today

1. Take a quick inventory of your home and see what you might be able to turn off or unplug – cell phone chargers, TVs, lights when you leave a room.

2. Set the thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature. Moving the thermostat down one degree means as much as a three-percent reduction in your electric bill.

3. Keep heating system filters clean.

4. Keep air vents clear of obstructions.

5. Open blinds/drapes on the sunny side of the house during the day, but close them at night.

6. Compact fluorescent lamps can replace bulbs in most table lamps and will save up to 75 percent in lighting energy, produce more light and last up to 10 times longer.

7. Wash full loads of clothes in the coolest water possible. Rinse clothes in cold water.

8. Keep the temperature between 36 degrees and 40 degrees in the refrigerator and 0 degrees and 5 degrees in the freezer. Use a refrigerator/freezer thermometer to check the settings.

9. Stop the dryer as soon as clothes are dry, or use the moisture sensor control to automatically shut off the dryer. Overdrying wastes energy and sets in wrinkles.

10. Dry loads one right after another. You'll use less energy because the dryer is already heated.

More tips can be found on the cooperative’s website at www.mtemc.com.

(ARA) - Recycling is certainly not a new concept. In fact, gardeners have been using one form of recycling - composting - for about as long as people have tilled the soil. Composting is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to give your garden a boost.

Start your compost pile now, before winter settles in, and come spring you'll have a jump on nutrient-rich compost to help your garden produce its best harvest. Composting happens by itself through natural decay and the breakdown of organic matter. Depending on your local climate, the composting process may not be fully completed with useable humus or compost until temperatures warm up.

"Composting is easy and can be done for as little as $10 - or even free if you build your own bin," says Bruce Augustin, senior director in research and development with Scotts. "It's a great way to provide essential nutrients to your soil, while recycling kitchen and yard waste, which helps keep refuse out of landfills."

It's easy to get started composting: find a bin, gather materials, build your pile and compost. Augustin offers the following easy-to-follow steps for getting started:

Begin with a bin

Containing your compost pile in a bin saves space, hastens decomposition and helps keep the pile neat. You can find many pre-made compost bins at home centers and garden stores. Or, you can build your own from plans found on the Internet with materials around your home.

Gather materials

There are two main sources of materials for your compost pile - your yard and your kitchen. From the yard, you can gather leaves, grass and plant clippings, and shrub or tree trimmings. From the kitchen, add fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds (including the filters), tea bags and eggshells. It's okay to toss in shredded newspaper (not colored or shiny newsprint since these don't decompose readily), but avoid meat scraps, bones, dairy products, grease or pet or human waste since these can all harbor harmful bacteria.

Build your pile

You should build your pile in layers, starting with a 4- to 6-inch layer of coarse material such as twigs or shrub clippings. Then, add on 3 to 4 inches of grass clippings. Next, add another 4- to 6-inch layer of leaves or garden debris and soak with water; moisture will help the microbes decompose the material faster. You can modify this order as needed, depending on the types of materials you have. After a few layers, be sure to add a 1-inch layer of garden soil, such as Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables.

Maintain compost

"A high-nitrogen fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, spread over each layer of your compost pile, will help the composting process by creating a favorable nitrogen to carbon ratio," says Augustin. Remember to turn or aerate the pile periodically to help move material from the outside closer to the center of the pile, where it will heat up and decompose faster. During the winter - depending on the region where you live - the center of the pile is where decomposition will take place, and adding water to keep the pile moist will aid the process.

Your compost will be ready to use once it has turned dark and crumbly, and gives off an earthy odor. Add the compost to your garden soil to help nourish your plants.

"Composting is not only beneficial for your garden, but it's also an easy, satisfying way to do something good for the environment," Augustin says.

For more tips on composting and other aspects of gardening and lawn care, visit www.Scotts.com. of ARAcontent

Courtesy

(ARA) - If you haven't yet joined the "grow your own vegetables" craze, it's not too late to join in. You can produce a bounty of vitamin-rich veggies from plot (or pot) to plate this fall, plus you'll save a bundle by growing them yourself.

You may be surprised to find that with just a little attention and effort, growing fall vegetables in the backyard garden and in planters is even more enjoyable than planting a vegetable garden during the spring and summer seasons. Why? Cooler autumn temperatures make it a delight to spend time outside in the garden and also provide an advantage when it's time to harvest your crops.

You'll spend less time caring for your fall crops because of the favorable cool weather growing conditions. Plants will grow rapidly at first and gradually slow as the days become shorter and colder. Destructive insects won't be as numerous in autumn as they are in summer months. Weeds germinate less frequently and grow slower than they do during the warmer seasons. Compared to hot and dry summers, fall usually brings an increase in the amount of precipitation, eliminating another time-consuming chore - watering.

What you need to know:

1. Let the sunshine in.  Most vegetables need full sun - at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They also require a steady supply of moisture and nutrients from the soil. You can help ensure your plants get both by mixing a 2-inch layer of compost into the soil (bagged compost is available at garden centers). Or spread a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, according to labeled instructions. Plants will need an inch of moisture per week, either through rain or supplemental watering.

2. Start with transplants. Transplants buy you lots of time. Plants are six weeks or older when you put them into the ground, so you will begin harvesting much sooner than if you start from seed. Bonnie Plants transplants in biodegradable, environmentally friendly pots make planting easy and spare the use of much plastic. Just cut off the bottom of the pot, water and plant ... pot and all. Garden centers typically supply optimum fall varieties for your geographic region.

3. Don't fear frost. When frost threatens, cover plants with a floating row cover, cold frame or a cloche. Or, you can grow fall veggies in a container and move the pot to a protected location on frosty nights.

Essential, preliminary planning tips for fall vegetable gardens include:

* Before planting any new plant make sure that you clear the area of summer and spring crops planted previously, as they may decay and encourage bacterial infection.

* Spread a few inches of mulch or compost over the area. Make sure that you turn up the soil's top layer and water well. Allow the soil to rest for a day before planting new fall plants.

* During the fall season most areas experience rain and even frost, so make sure that your soil is well drained and doesn't get soggy.

Vegetables best suited for fall gardens:

After following the essential preliminary steps for fall vegetable gardening, it's time to select vegetables for planting. Here's a list of fast-growing, cold-hardy crops that are ideal for fall vegetable gardening:

Winterbor Kale - This nutritious leafy green is a vigorous producer that endures winter easily, even in very cold climates. Cut the outer leaves so that the center can continue growing. Space transplants about 12 inches apart

Georgia Collards - Another leafy green similar to kale, collards offer a larger, stronger, sweet cabbage-like flavor. Leaves taste best when young.  Space transplants 36 inches apart.

Romaine Lettuce - Romaine packs more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients than other popular types of lettuce. Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, romaine is an especially good vegetable for heart health. Space transplants 18 inches apart.

Early Dividend Broccoli - Popular, productive and easy to grow, this broccoli is high in fiber and calcium. Set transplants 18 inches apart

Mustard Greens - Offering spicy hot leaves, this is a very fast-growing, nutritious vegetable. Mustard greens always taste sweeter when nipped by frost. Space plants 12 inches apart

Bonnie Hybrid Cabbage - Bonnie's best cabbage. Grows large, round, blue-green heads. Cabbage is especially high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, K and fiber.

Arugula - These fast-growing leafy greens are great for salads or gourmet recipes. This peppery-tasting green is a super food for your bones. The leaves are "nutrient dense" and low in calories. They are especially high in vitamins A, C, and K.

If you put these practices into place this fall, you'll get your garden off to the right start and set it up for a fruitful season. Preparation is key, but the reward is a healthier, more productive garden - and fresh food that tastes better than anything you can buy at the store.

To learn more about vegetable and herb varieties as well as gardening tips, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent