Visit us on Saturday, December 8 to purchase poinsettias or other blooming holiday cheer, including citrus trees for gifting.

Learn about home-garden irrigation and winterizing at 11:00 a.m. from Brent Jeansonne of the LSU Ag Center. He will discuss economical irrigation methods and the challenges to avoid. There will be ample opportunity for Q&A. As always, our programs are free and we are happy to talk about your green spaces and give you seeds through the Second Saturday program.

And the Humana Louisiana Benefits Program agrees, identifying Parkway Partners as the recipient of their 2007 Spirit Award. With the glass trophy came a check to help ReLeaf New Orleans.

The Alliance For Community Trees (ACT) recognized the efforts of Parkway Partners' ReLeaf New Orleans initiative with a special Neighborwoods Award. Executive Director Jean Fahr received the national recognition at ACT's annual meeting in Baltimore in November. Alliance for Community Trees, a nonprofit urban forestry organization, made the award and provided a scholarship to the Neighborwoods Academy. The Home Depot Foundation made the grants possible as a leader investing in non-profit organizations that are in the business of building better communities through urban forestry.

The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation is a key partner to the ReLeaf New Orleans initiative, providing operational support to sustain tree planting efforts, Tree Troopers and other educational programs.

Urban Farms are intensely cultivated market gardens that provide fresh produce in neighborhoods. Parkway Partners is developing four market gardens through funding from Share Our Strength and New Orleans Food and Farm Network. The harvest will be marketed at local open-air markets and the excess will be donated to neighbors. The farms are an important service to the community by providing fresh produce to areas that are still recovering from the effects of Katrina. Our farmers, including John Calhoun pictured here, are now preparing sites for spring crops on Rampart, and in Gentilly, Algiers and Central City. We are still seeking an urban farmer for the Algiers location. Interested parties should contact Macon Fry, our "Garden Guy" at 620-2224.

Gardens for New Orleans joined with Parkway Partners to landscape Habitat for Humanity houses in Musicians' Village and Hoffman Triangle. The individuals came from Denver and Concord to plant colorful camellias, roses, and annuals as well as magnolias, crepe myrtles, and fig trees. Gardens for New Orleans is a project of the West Concord Union Church and was founded by Polly Jenkins Man. Polly believes that having a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy is vital to the well being of returning residents, and the happy recipients agree. The gardens are the icing on the cake! Anyone interested in participating in other Gardens for New Orleans projects should contact Polly at pollyjm42@yahoo.com . The group is returning in March 2008 and all are invited.

Mark your calendars for March 8 in Gentilly for the biggest educational program and plant sale of the year. The event is a collaboration with the Department of Parks and Parkways and includes the best locally grown plants for introduction into your home landscape. The Department of Parks and Parkways staff and Dan Gill will join Parkway Partners in answering your tree and garden questions. Gates open at 8 a.m. and sale regulars line up early to purchase high quality plants and trees at good prices.