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Build A Garden Of Memories With Your Kids
by Dominic Weidman
http://www.iamgardening.com
This is not your typical how-to article. I'm not going to
share with you a step-by-step tutorial on which plants work
best for kids, or how to line up the rows so little feet
don't trample the plants. There are hundreds of other places
that you can find those tips.
Years later, when I found myself in a three-decker in the
middle of the 'shabby' part of town, Nana's garden returned
to haunt me. My own children were growing up in a world of
broken asphalt, surrounded by weed-choked lots and crumbling
buildings.
You can introduce your children to gardening from the time
that they're infants. When you go out to weed or water, take
the baby with you. A playpen or bassinet in a bit of shade
is a great place for a baby or toddler to be part of things
without being in the way.
Let your older children 'help'. What's work to you is still
exciting play to them. Let them cordon off a piece of the
yard with twigs and twine, and hand over a set of kid-size
plastic tools to dig. To make it a little easier, you can
loosen the ground a bit beforehand with a spade or fork.
Be ready with a selection of easy-to-grow seeds for them,
but don't be surprised if the seeds from last night's
watermelon or the peach pit left over from lunch hold more
interest. Let them plant whatever they want, even as you
encourage a little more practicality with seeds that
germinate quickly, like marigolds, peppers and beans.
Give them a patch of their own. Kids love having their own
space, and gardening is no exception. You'll be surprised
how seriously they take the responsibility of tending their
own little plot.
One afternoon just after the seeds sprout, pull out the
aluminum pie tins and string and a threaded needle. Let them
cut and shape, poke holes and string the diamonds and
circles and squares on garden twine. When they're done, let
them help you string it while you explain how the sparkly
fluttering brightness discourages the birds from eating
their seedlings.
On a sunny, sticky summer afternoon, pick the ripest, most
beautiful tomato you can find. Take it and sit on the bottom
step of the porch and as they gather round (because they
will, trust me on this), slice off bite size chunks with a
pocketknife and share the bounty.
Bean teepees are one of the most fun gardening activities
you can do. Pick a patch of sunny ground, build a teepee
with gardening stakes. Plant runner beans and morning
glories around the base of each, and as they grow, train the
vines to grow up the poles. By the middle of summer, you'll
have a shady little hideaway that your kids will love
playing in.
As summer draws to an end, sit out in the late afternoon sun
with the culls and picks from your garden. Let them get
their little fingers into the act, picking the seeds for
next year's garden. Show them how to gently stir and turn
the trays of seeds you're drying. Those same little fingers
can hold a knot when you tie up the brown paper packages
with twine. Tuck them away in your gardening closet, ready
to bring out on a cold winter day when there's just a hint
of spring's promise in the sun.
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