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The right cabbage can win a scholarship; Georgia 3rd-graders eligible for award

Gardening can be an enjoyable activity for the entire family, and thanks to a scholarship program, it can be rewarding as well. Bonnie Plant Farm, the nation's largest grower of vegetable and herb plants is sponsoring a Third Grade Cabbage Scholarship Program.

Cabbage plants can grow in small spaces or even a large container. They need plenty of sunlight, as well as some ongoing care including watering, fertilizer, and pest control. Within 10-12 weeks, a cabbage head will be ready for harvesting.

While many associate gardening with the warm, summer season, crops such as cabbage thrive in cooler weather.

Throughout 2005, third-grade students from across the country, including Georgia, may participate in Bonnie Plant Farm's Third Grade Cabbage Program, with the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship for his or her college education.

Each student participating in the program will receive a free O-S Cross cabbage plant. The name O-S Cross is short for "Oversize." This type of cabbage plant can grow heads that are bigger than a basketball, often up to 40 pounds.

"This is our way of sharing our love of gardening," said Dennis Thomas, general manager of Bonnie Plant Farm.

Approximately one million third graders from 54,000 schools across the country are expected to participate in the program. Representatives from Bonnie Plant Farm's 31 growing stations will deliver cabbage plants and educational literature to schools.

Teachers from each third-grade class will select the student who has grown the heaviest cabbage, and that student's name will then be included in a statewide drawing to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Bonnie Plant Farm will award a total of $42,000 in scholarships, and each state's winner will be selected during summer 2005. The program is not offered in Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, North Dakota or South Dakota.

Both third-grade teachers and students in participating states are encouraged to visit the company's Web site to obtain registration information and details about the program.

The site also offers tips on gardening and plant care for more than 50 types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. To learn more or to register, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Bonnie and Livingston Paulk founded Bonnie Plant Farm in 1918. Bonnie Plant Farm, a subsidiary of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, services more than 10,000 accounts in 48 states. The company plants more than 500 million seeds annually.