Plant A Summer Garden With Your Kids
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What kid doesn't like to dig in the dirt? Well, actually, there are some girly girls who don't ... but most kids do enjoy digging ... in the sand or the dirt.
A great outdoor activity for fun, learning and future enjoyment is planting a garden. Kids can get a little dirty and learn at the same time. Try to teach the kids some basics when planning and planting a garden. You can make your planting activity quite simple and just plant seeds that will start growing inside the house until it is warm enough to plant outside or you can plan a regular little garden for outside.
One of the basic things you will need to find out, for the area you live in, is the correct time to plant outdoors. Most seeds, seedlings or plants will need to go into the ground after all chance of frost has passed.
Most flowers and vegetables can be planted in the Spring once there is no longer a chance of frost, however, some vegetables lend themselves to Fall or Winter planting. See the link below.
What to do:
- Plan a trip to choose seeds or seedlings that you and your child would like to plant. Check planting guide if buying seeds that is usually found on the back of each seed packet. This will tell you when seeds can be planted outdoors and how much sun the plants require.
- Pick a sunny location for most flowers and vegetables.
- Dig up the soil, so that it is loose and not packed down, otherwise your plants will have a very difficult time growing.
- When it is time to Plant seeds or seedlings outdoors, show your child how to make a little row to plant seeds and then cover with dirt to the appropriate depth. If planting seedlings, show them how to make a small hole with a trowel, place the plant in the hole gently and then cover roots with dirt.
- Water all plants and explain to your child that it is his responsibility to make sure that the plant is watered every day. All plants need sun and water to grow. You, of course, will have to gently remind them to water ... probably on a continuous basis.
- Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your child and their garden.
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