Four O'Clock Seeds Benefit Petit Memorial Charity

B. Harrison Griffin of Oxen Hill Farm CSA appeals to Suffield residents to support the Petit Family Foundation.

·                                 May 26, 2011

Area residents are encouraged to support the Petit Family Foundation this spring by purchasing packets of four o’clock flower seeds, available at the First National Bank of Suffield (West Suffield Branch) and Oxen Hill Farm CSA.

These four o’clock flowers are seed propagated from Michaela Petit’s garden at the Petit home.

The Petit Family Foundation and the Michaela’s Garden Project began after the tragic July 2007 invasion of the Petit home and subsequent fire in Cheshire. The senseless crime took the lives of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and daughters Hayley and Michaela.

The foundation’s mission is to continue the spirit of kindness, idealism and activism embodied by the family. All funds raised are used to foster the education of young people, improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence. The four o’clock seed packets are available for a $10 contribution to the Petit Foundation.

     Four o’clocks are sturdy, bushy plants with showy red, pink, yellow and white trumpet-shaped flowers. They open their flowers in mid-afternoon and remain open overnight and close in early morning. They are also known for their strong, aromatic fragrance.

Four o’clocks are native perennials to tropical areas of North and South America and are often called the “marvel of Peru.” In New England, these plants are propagated as annuals.

     Oxen Hill Farm CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), at 1667 Hill Street, Suffield grew approximately one-quarter acre of these four o’clock flowers for their seed production during last year’s growing season. CSA members and neighbors helped in cultivation and seed collection. Again this summer the CSA will plant and harvest seeds for the Petit Family Foundation.

     Oxen Hill Farm CSA is a local CSA where customers receive fresh-picked produce and flowers each week throughout the summer and fall season. For more information regarding Michaela’s Garden seeds, The Petit Family Foundation or our local vegetable and flower CSA, visit our website at www.oxenhillfarm.com, email farmer@oxenhillfarm.com or call Oxen Hill Farm at 860-214-5104.

 

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