In these flower beds, everything is within easy reach. And there's always a handy seat

A practical shape for her raised beds makes it comfortable and easy for Mary Scott to tend her flower garden. The beds' U-shaped form lets her walk around the inside and outside of each one and have all the flowers within easy reach. Her bad back dictated the design--because the planters' wide lips make a continuous plant-level seat, she doesn't have to bend over too far.

The basic design module is an 18-foot square with a 27-by 42 inch cutout centered in one side. The 27-inch measurement repeats in the spacing between each module. The long side of the big planter measures 18 feet 3 inches (two 8-foot modules plus the 27-inch space).Each planter is 22 inches high. Roughsawn redwood 2 by 8's were nailed to the insides of 4-by-4 posts set 18 inches into the ground. Surfaced 2 by 6's cap the posts and 2 by 8's. To broaden this 5-1/2-inch-wide cap into a seat, a 2-by-6 facing board was mounted to the outside edges, flush with the top. To prevent earth-to-wood contact on the sides, builder's felt lines the inside walls.Landscape designer Michael Glassman, also of Davis, designed the planters.

Landscape designer Michael Glassman, also of Davis, designed the planters.

Fall planting, spring surprises

Fall planting, spring surprises

In small gardens, prepare the seedbed by digging to a spade's depth. Rotary-till large areas. Afterward, rake to break up clods, leaving a level, smooth-textured surface. If the soil is very poor, work in a slow-release fertilizer.Look for seeds at nurseries, or order them by mail. For a list of mail-order sources that specialize in Western wildflower seeds, see page 242.For large areas, figure that 1 ounce of wildflower seed (about $5) will cover 150 to 200 square feet.Sprinkle the planting area thoroughly but gently with a fine spray that won't uncover or dislodge the seeds. If weather remains dry, continue sprinkling to keep ground moist.Photo: Fall sowing. For even coverage, wildflower seeds are scattered over tilled soil lengthwise, then crosswise; light raking covers them. Instead of raking, some prefer to settle seeds with thorough but light sprinkling"My miracle!' That's what the gardener at left calls her back lot when fall-sown seeds burst into glorious bloom from early March into May. African daisies--in shades from cream to gold--and laterblooming baby blue eyes provide a changing color show on a gentle slope adjacent to her Carmel, California, garden.Seed sourcesOne or two packets of mixed wildflower seed (about $1.50 per packet) will produce a generous spring or early summer bouquet in a large clay pot, a barrel, or other wooden container. Some kinds, such as California poppy, will self-sow year after year.In the West's mild-winter areas (low elevations of California and Arizona), prime sowing months are October and November before rains start.A wide variety of wildflower seeds is available. Plants range from low-growing (6 inches) to tall (about 2 feet), and come in myriad shapes and flower colors for sun or shade. Some packaged seeds are collected in the wild, some are provided by plants grown from seeds gathered in the wild, and some are cultivated varieties. Some, such as African daisy, are introduced from abroad.Sowing wildflower seedsPhoto: "The field seemed to explode overnight!' In early March, cream to gold African daisies (Dimorphotheca) blotted out the green. Two weeks later (below), baby blue eyes (Nemophila) took over, with a sprinkling of California poppies. In bouquets (bottom), poppies last up to three days, stay open at night in warm, bright roomsMake small plantings of wildflowers in raised beds or containers, in strips between sidewalks and street curbs, or along a fence or driveway. They also make attractive fillers between recently planted shrubs, or a low carpet under spring-flowering bulbs, trees, or shrubs.You may not have the space for a display as sensational as this, but you don't need an acre or a vacant lot to enjoy the pleasures and surprises of growing your own wildflowers. And wildflowers aren't your only fall-planting opportunity, as you'll see on the next six pages.

Photo: Fall sowing. For even coverage, wildflower seeds are scattered over tilled soil lengthwise, then crosswise; light raking covers them. Instead of raking, some prefer to settle seeds with thorough but light sprinkling

Garden party for the folk down on the plot; GREEN & GORGEOUS

THEY'VE got green-fingers in the Holme Valley and organisers behind a community allotment are inviting you to join them.

Mark, who lives in Wooldale, said: "Having had to finish work because of my health, some days I find it hard to see a purpose, but doing a bit of weeding, planting or being outside pottering amongst the plants gives me that purpose and lifts the spirit.The Network was set up in 2009 by Elaine and Helen Scott, who shared an allotment. They decided they wanted to set up a supportive network and called a public meeting which was attended by more than 40 people.* DIGGING IN: Mark Dickinson, of Wooldale, is involved in the Holme Valley Gardening Network and, right, Elaine Thlier at workProject Manager Elaine Thlier said the main emphasis was on using the outdoors to help improve people's health.She said: "The great thing about gardening is you are getting fresh air, fresh vegetables and you are subtly doing exercise.CAPTION(S):"It really does help get your problems into perspective when you talk to others about their health problems."The project is funded by Kirklees Community Partnership and Kirklees Council Environment Unit, and supported by the Independent Co-Operative Society, Methodist Church, Quakers in Wooldale and Holmfirth Transition Town.The Independent Co-operative Society offered them a field at Wooldale for the allotment, used by more than 30 families. The network, soon to become a social enterprise, also has an allotment at Royd's Avenue in New Mill. To get involved go along to the garden party in Wooldale at the allotment behind Wooldale Co-op on Saturday from 2pm until 5pm."For a lot of people who don't want to go down the traditional route of going to a gym, it is a great way to keep moving and keep fit.An open session takes place this Thursday at the allotments from 11am until midday. For more information contact Elaine on 0794 9414163 or email: info@hvgn.orgAnd it has helped Mark Dickinson, 52, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2007 while playing football.As part of his recovery he joined one of Elaine's gardening courses and is now a member of the network's advisory committee."All in all it is a great combination, particularly for people who may have health issues. It's amazing how it can change your mood and help you feel better."It features raised beds and wheelchair-friendly paths and is aimed at anyone who has a health issue or who cares for someone with health concerns to have a go at fruit, vegetable and herb gardening.

* DIGGING IN: Mark Dickinson, of Wooldale, is involved in the Holme Valley Gardening Network and, right, Elaine Thlier at work

'Gardening is not exercise' group told; Stunned reaction as grant is turned down

Byline: SAM CASEY

DISAPPOINTED: Stephen Knight, right, with vice-chairman Mike Gates, left, and representatives of the Rainbow and Brownie groups (AC201210Eneth)A council spokeswoman said competition for the grants was "intense". Eighty-five organisations applied for a total of pounds 650,000 from a pot of only pounds 180,000. Only 21 were successful.Applicants had to prove their project fulfilled certain criteria including, among other things, improving education and tackling childhood obesity. But when TRA chairman Stephen Knight contacted the council to find out why they had been unsuccessful, he was shocked by the response.COMMUNITY groups were left stunned after being told their grant request for a gardening project had been turned down - because gardening "isn' t exercise.""Of course gardening is a physical activity. I know of sheltered housing schemes and care homes that have introduced gardening for that very reason." Mr Knight said the decision had left a lot of people disappointed, but they were looking at alternative methods of funding.Funding would have come from the council's reducing inequalities grant scheme.The plan was to put it in the grounds of Netherton Infant and Nursery School for the benefit of schoolchildren as well as local community groups.She said theTRAwas advised to apply for funding from a grant scheme called Eat Well for Life.He said: "I had a letter saying that the application didn't meet the criteria and when I rang up to find outwhy, Iwas told gardening isn't exercise.CAPTION(S):"As it was, the pressure of competition meant that the panel decided that other projects made more of a contribution to health than this one."Netherton Tenants' and Residents' Association (TRA) had applied for pounds 4,000 from Kirklees Council to install a 40ft poly-tunnel for plants, to build raised flower beds and buy specialist tools for children.The spokeswoman added: "The Netherton project was considered by a panel of experts including NHS Kirklees and would have been funded had the money been available.The spokeswoman added: "The panel's decisions were not easy to make and they acknowledged that a lot of good projects were not going to get funding because there simply wasn't enough money to go round all those who applied and met the criteria."

DISAPPOINTED: Stephen Knight, right, with vice-chairman Mike Gates, left, and representatives of the Rainbow and Brownie groups (AC201210Eneth)

Delaware Physicians Care is planting the seeds for a healthier future by gardening with children

DOVER, Del. -- Three Boys and Girls Clubs in Delaware will soon add gardening to their lists of activities, thanks to the sponsorship of Delaware Physicians Care, an Aetna Medicaid plan, and the Yellow Tractor Program.

Beginning this week, the Boys and Girls Club in Claymont will plant fruit trees and berry bushes and build raised garden beds as part of an effort to positively impact the health of children through gardening. The Boys and Girls Clubs in Smyrna and Seaford will do the same later this month. Children will help plant vegetables in the raised beds next spring and begin to harvest fruits and vegetables by summer. The bounty will be used to feed and educate children in the clubs’ after-school programs.“We’re excited to begin our community garden program in all three Delaware counties,” said Terry Farsace, chief operating officer, Delaware Physicians Care. “This program allows children to learn about and actively participate in growing a garden. It also encourages them to eat healthy and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.”Yellow Tractor Program (YTP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and facilitating the use of vegetable gardens for school-age children. By partnering with various volunteer organizations, YTP connects workforces with garden projects. It aligns, connects and provides the gardening organization, supplies and resources needed for volunteers and communities who want to establish or maintain a garden project. YTP provides garden-related curriculum meeting national standards in math, science, history, art, social studies, language arts and health and nutrition. The Yellow Tractor Program advocates for sustainable growth by clearing a path for food security, building opportunities for healthier life skills, and providing a safe place for children to grow not only food, but themselves. For more information about YTP, visit www.yellowtractorprogram.com.About AetnaAbout Yellow Tractor Program“The Claymont Boys and Girls Club is excited to join with Delaware Physicians Care and the Yellow Tractor Program to provide our children and their families with a hands-on learning experience regarding healthy foods and nutrition,” said Kim Harkins, unit director for the Claymont Boys and Girls Club. “Our kids will gain knowledge about healthy eating, which will help instill in them the need for a healthier lifestyle.”Delaware Physicians Care is receiving valuable support in this effort from Yellow Tractor Program, an organization that works through its Circle of Health ™ campaign to address issues surrounding Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity. The campaign aligns health care organizations with needs-based programs, building vegetable and fruit gardens and providing project management and activity-based learning. The groups aim to teach participants the benefits of healthy eating, by eating what they grow. Research shows that children who plant and harvest their own fruits and vegetable are more likely to eat them.Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 35.4 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com. To learn more about Aetna's innovative online tools, visit www.aetnatools.com.

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 35.4 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com. To learn more about Aetna's innovative online tools, visit www.aetnatools.com.

Cash for green groups; pounds 20k awarded to local projects

Byline: EMMA DAVISON

It was awarded pounds 5,000 to create a garden with raised beds, walkways and a large greenhouse.Heavy rainfall and exposed land makes farming in the area difficult, and the money will help the group continue its work helping farmers create shelter by planting trees."It's our way of recognising the effort and dedication that they make and we hope it will enable them to go that extra mile."John O'Grady, Northern Gas Networks' communications director, said: "We set up the Northern Green Networks' grant scheme as a way of supporting these groups that are dedicated to improving their local communities. They are the ones that make things happen.HARD AT WORK: Colne Valley Tree Society volunteers planting shrubs at MelthamGREEN groups across West Yorkshire are celebrating after being given a cash boost. Five charity and community groups in the region - including two operating in the Huddersfield area - are sharing a slice of over pounds 20,000 worth of grants.The Denby Dale Centre, based at Springfield Mill in Denby Dale, works with older and disabled people living in surrounding rural areas.CAPTION(S):The green grants have been awarded by the region's gas pipeline company, Northern Gas Networks.Other groups to benefit in West Yorkshire were Bradford's Prism Youth Project, which was given pounds 5,000 for a nature trail, treasure trail and signage at the city farm.The Wildlife Habitat Protection Fund's grant of pounds 4,990 will help create a nature trail on the outskirts of Church Fenton, Doncaster.The group was established in 1964 and since then has planted more than 300,000 trees at sites across the Colne Valley.Colne Valley Tree Society was handed a pounds 2,000 grant.Working in Saltaire, the Hirst Wood Generation Group has been awarded pounds 1,600 to help it reclaim derelict areas and transform them into well-maintained public spaces.

HARD AT WORK: Colne Valley Tree Society volunteers planting shrubs at Meltham

do it!

Easy Set traps to protect the newly-emerging shoots of herbaceous perennials such as delphiniums, peonies, lupins, hosta and dicentra from slugs and snails.

How to box cleverWRITE to Adrienne at Homes & Holidays, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP.Herb bed fully loadedSoak seeds of black-eyed susan or thunbergia before sowing them on a warm, shady windowsill to have climbing plants for decorating trellis screens and obelisks in flowerbeds this summer.TRANSFORM your borders by edging them with a neatly clipped, evergreen box hedge, which will also help to keep plants from flopping over on to paths and lawns.If forcing strawberries under glass, protect the open flowers from frost by covering them with layers of newspaper when severe cold weather is forecast.DIY itREVIVE your herb beds by taking cuttings now to have a ready supply of fresh young leaves to snip in early summer. Use the soft new shoots for cuttings, trimming them 3in long just below a leaf joint. Insert several around the rim of a five-inch pot of gritty compost. Cover them with a polythene bag and root them on a warm, shady windowsill. New growth indicates rooting - remove the bag, pot them up individually and harden them off before planting.Box hedges, especially dwarf variety Buxus Suffruticosa, which is just six to eight inches high, are easy to grow, coping with most situations, including shade.Good ideaOr you can send an email to homes@sundaymirror.co.ukBuy young seedlings of tender bedding plants such as geranium, salvia, busy lizzy and petunia and prick them out into trays of a quality potting compost.Design itEffort 2 Prevent frost pockets in low-lying areas of the garden by raising nearby fences slightly off the ground to allow trapped cold air to escape.Before planting, improve the soil with wellrotted garden compost then space about 10 inches apart to create a dense row. Mulch after planting and water daily for the first few weeks. For good looks, try to aim to keep the lines of the hedge razor sharp, by trimming them in May and again in August or September.

POP used teabags into a jug of water to feed lime-hating rhododendrons and camellias. - Johnny Bates, Cheltenham, Gloucs