September will be “Fall is for Planting Month” in September, according to a proclamation by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. The proclamation was announced at the 2013 Farwest Trade Show by the Oregon Association of Nurseries, the state’s 800-plus-member organization comprised of wholesale growers, retailers, nursery service and supply providers, and others engaged in the nursery trade.

The proclamation emphasizes the positive impact of nurseries on Oregon’s economy, as well as the health and lifestyle benefits of gardening and planting trees, shrubs, flowers and edibles. The timing of the announcement was fitting because the Farwest Trade Show will feature seminars that discuss consumer preferences, particularly when it comes to sustainbility.

The association issued a press release for the consumer press, and a separate press release was issued to the trade press, as follows:

Portland, Ore. — Oregon’s governor, John Kitzhaber, M.D., has decreed that September will be “Fall is for Planting Month” in the state of Oregon. And the Oregon Association of Nurseries, comprised of retailers as well as wholesale growers, agrees 100 percent.

“The fall season is a perfect time to go to your local garden center, select your favorite plants and trees, and get out in the garden,” OAN Marketing Director Ann Murphy said. “For many, planting trees, shrubs and flowers is a fun and fulfilling part of an active, healthy lifestyle. When planted in the landscape, trees, shrubs and flowers can increase home values, reduce heating and cooling costs, and even clean the air we breathe. With help from the experts at your local garden center, it’s easy to add functional beauty to your yard.”

One particularly hot new trend is to plant edibles. You can grow your own vegetables, berries or fruit by selecting the right tree, shrub, starts or seeds, with help from your local garden center.

“Many people are finding that few tastes are as satisfying as food that they grew themselves, in their own yard,” Murphy said. “Now’s a great time to put in fruit trees and berry bushes. They can acclimate to their new home before going into dormancy, then come charging out of the chute come springtime. And there are several good winter vegetable crops you can plant right now.”

As part of the nationwide Plant Something(TM) campaign, OAN has created a website at www.PlantSomethingOregon.com. There, you can get information on how trees, shrubs and flowers can help you “Live Better.” There’s a wealth of useful ideas, a list of helpful resources, and even the directions to your local garden center — all at www.PlantSomethingOregon.com.

The governor’s proclamation (http://www.farwestshow.com/pdf/FallIsForPlanting0920131.pdf) recognizes Oregon as the second largest nursery state, with annual sales of $744 million according to recently released data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This proclamation recognizes the economic and environmental impact of the nursery industry,” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said.

As mentioned in the document, Oregon has more acreage in nursery production than any other state. It is the leading grower of coniferous evergreens, deciduous shade trees, deciduous flowering trees and Christmas trees. What’s more, some 75 percent of all Oregon-grown nursery material is destined for out of state, with more than half making it to the large markets east of the Mississippi River. That’s why Oregon-grown nursery products don’t just make life better for Oregonians — they also benefit people nationwide.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries (OAN), based in Wilsonville, represents more than 800 wholesale growers, retailers, landscapers and suppliers. Oregon’s ornamental horticulture industry is among the state’s largest agricultural commodities, with annual sales of $744 million. Oregon’s nursery industry is a traded sector; nearly 75 percent of the nursery plants grown in Oregon are shipped out of state. For information, visit www.oan.org or call 503-682-5089.