Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award

What better place to ‘grow’ treasured family memories than in a garden? Gardens provide opportunities for adult family members to pass along traditions and knowledge to the next generation (or share the experience of developing skills if new to gardening). Young people bring their contagious enthusiasm for learning and life, exciting everyone involved in the growing process. Family gardening has practical benefits, too. Kids learn how to grow their own food and flowers — an enduring lifetime gift. They also glean wisdom from the time spent in nurturing relationships with adult family members. Older gardeners are rejuvenated by children’s energy and the stress-relieving physical activity of gardening, and engagement helps both body and mind stay active.

Recognizing the power of gardens to connect individuals of all ages socially, culturally, and emotionally, the H. J. Heinz Company is proud to sponsor the Heinz Wholesome Memories Intergenerational Garden Award, designed to foster family focused garden efforts in communities across the country. The award will provide 57 families with a $500 package containing the tools needed to embark on a successful gardening adventure that will foster lasting intergenerational memories while growing wholesome food. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2010 from any adult in the United States who wishes to garden with preschool to high school-aged family member(s). Click here for more details.

Horticulture is at the heart of the H.J. Heinz Company. Heinz Ketchup is prepared with vine-ripened tomatoes, “Grown, Not Made®” from Heinz® Seed by a trusted group of farmers. The care and expertise poured into growing the perfect tomatoes for Heinz Ketchup is just one reason why Heinz is America’s Favorite Ketchup® and has been at the center of family memories for the last 130 years.

 “We believe creating memorable family experiences is an important part of childhood, and whether it’s growing, cooking, or eating, food often plays a special part in these moments,” said Noel Geoffroy, Director of Heinz Ketchup. “For years, Americans have shared with us how Heinz Ketchup inspired their family memories through letters, phone calls and e-mails. We hope that by providing a forum through the Heinz Wholesome Memories contest and the intergenerational gardens, we’ll continue to provide inspiration for the creation of new memories for years to come.”

Here are a few tips to help you embark on a successful intergenerational gardening adventure:

• Make your garden accessible. Use raised beds or containers to make gardening accessible for all.
• Design a low maintenance garden. Mulch pathways and use drip irrigation and soaker hoses to reduce the need for watering.
• Choose plants as a family. Work together to choose the types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers you’d like to grow.
• Schedule your workdays. Set up certain days and times to garden together so everyone can look forward to it.
• Don't expect young gardeners to do all the work. Kids can do many tasks in the garden, but your job is to match the child's ability with the task at hand. The most important thing is to keep gardening fun.
• Develop realistic expectations and goals. Start with a small garden and expand as time and resources allow.
• Eat from the garden. Harvesting fresh vegetables is pure joy for kids. Be sure your young gardeners are there for the first tomato harvest and when it's time to dig the potatoes.
• Keep a garden scrapbook. While you’re creating important family memories, don’t forget to capture the moments. HeinzWholesomeMemories.com is a great place to share memories and gain inspiration from other families.