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As Spring blossoms show up in nurseries and garden departments, we're all siezed with the urge to plant things. Who doesn't want a beautiful lawn, colorful flower beds and vine-ripened tomatoes fresh from the yard?

Gardening is easier than you think. A little dirt, a little knowledge, a few simple tools and suddenly you're a gardener! You don't have to have an acre to till -- a patio with a container garden will do in a pinch. There are more benefits to gardening than you might imagine, so read on for tips and encouragement.

We've also got good advice regarding the inevitable grass stains you'll pick up as the weather warms and picnics are on the agenda, to keep you looking your bloomin' best.

See you soon!
Jim Nixon

Spring Fling Coupon!

Since winter has lasted so long, you probably don't even want to look at your winter coat any more. This is the time to let us prepare it for hibernation with $5 off each coat you have cleaned.
By our definition, a coat is a garment that is longer than waist length (the others are jackets). Include a copy of the first page of this e-mail with your order. Offer expires April 15, 2005. Cannot be combined with other offers.

How Green is your Thumb?

Even people who don't garden get the urge to turn over some dirt as Spring wafts over the windowsill. Gardening is an activity that anybody can participate in (yes, you can!) and that pays back more dividends than the effort you put into it.

Grow yourself some health!

Studies have shown that being around plants is actually good for us. That's why so many hospitals and nursing homes have gardens for patients and their families to visit, or at least look out on. Just seeing green, blooming plants lifts our spirits and causes our brains to release chemicals that speed healing. But there are more benefits to gardening than that.

• Gardening is a great way to get mild to moderate exercise, and in the three areas we need it: endurance, strength and flexibility.
• Not surprisingly, gardeners who grow vegetables eat more nutritious meals on average than those who don't -- even while waiting for their produce to ripen.
• Gardening is a great escape. So much of what we do all day revolves around hurrying and instant results. Tending a garden helps us slow down, refocus, and relearn patience.
• Anybody can tend a garden -- from a big yard full of landscaping, to a small vegetable patch, to a small container garden. Even those with physical difficulties can look after a plant or two, or work on a raised flower bed or vertical garden that brings plants into easy reach.
• Creativity blossoms in the garden. Planning what you'll put in, selecting the seeds or plants, harvesting produce or picking flowers you've grown are all creative triggers that improve mental well-being.
• You're never too old to take up gardening -- even if you get help from the teenager down the block doing the heavy work. And the benefits are as important to older folks as they are to younger ones.

Go ahead, give in to the craving we all have to see something blossom that we put into the ground with our own hands. You may THINK you have "black thumbs" and kill any plant you come into contact with, but if you take the time to learn about what you're growing you can raise almost anything. The satisfaction that gardeners feel when they pick that first flower or taste that first vine-ripened tomato or cantaloupe can't be matched.

Seeds of change.

Like anything else, you need to prepare a little before you dive into gardening -- but not much. Here are a few tips:

• Round up some tools. You'll need just simple things to begin a garden. For a container garden on a patio or porch, it could be as simple as a large container, some soil, plants and a small shovel. If you plan on working in the yard, make it easy on yourself and get one of the carts that can haul supplies and doubles as a convenient seat for when you're working. Get easy-grip, padded-handled tools -- you'll thank yourself later.
• Remember where you are. Being outside on a fine spring day is exhilarating and you can lose track of time. Be sure to protect yourself with a wide-brimmed hat, sunblock, long-sleeved shirt and long pants. It's amazing how many ways you can scratch yourself or how fast you can burn if you're not properly covered up.
• Dream a little! Avid gardeners begin drooling over seed catalogues in the dead of winter.It's okay to wait until the Spring Fever to hit, though. Just visit a local nursery and see what's in season. Talk to the clerks about what grows well inthe area. Think about whether you're interested in flowers or vegetables... or both! Then plot out what you'll plant in each area of your yard.
• Be good to yourself. Start out with a few gentle stretches before you head out to ramble among the tomato vines and pull weeds. Pace yourself, and if you feel tired sit down and enjoy your garden from the shade for a while. Use proper lifting techniques and get help if something is too heavy. You may find a neighbor who loves gardening and develop a new friendship as you help each other with difficult chores. Don't forget to drink water before, during and after gardening to avoid dehydration.

You can find out just about anything you need to know to make your garden prosper by using the internet. Just remember that not everything you read is accurate, so check it against a couple of sources before putting things into action. Also pay attention to who posted the material. If it's a company that has a vested interest in getting you to buy things, take it with a grain of salt. County Cooperative Extensions, agriculture departments of local colleges and Master Gardener clubs are all excellent sources of information, so take advantage of their expertise.

Happy Gardening!

Grass Stains Happen!

As you step out in to the garden, even just to enjoy the beauty that someone else created, there's the potential for grass and other stains to leave their marks on your pretty spring fashions. There's a lot of misinformation on the Internet, particularly when it comes to "advice" about how to get stains out of your garments. Some range from the merely non-effective to the down-right destructive. For example, we came across grass stain removal suggestions that included using enzyme pre-soaks, rubbing alcohol and vigorous handling, chlorine bleach, and even soaking in molasses (we don't even want to think about that one.)

We have years of experience in removing all types of stains from all types of fabrics. Rather than time consuming trial-and-error (lots of error) spot removal on your own, why not let us get it right the first time? We'll have that outfit back in full bloom in no time.

Join Our Food Drive 

March 1- May 13, 2005
Nu-Way Cleaners and Foothills Cleaners, in cooperation with the local branches of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is proud to sponsor the "Help Stamp Out Hunger" food campaign from March 1 through May 13. The campaign was announced in our Valpak coupon that arrived in homes March 1st and will be repeated in the coupon sent out around April 1st.
Click on the graphic to the right for more details and a donation coupon for FREE Cleaning.