With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to begin daydreaming about your summer garden. So this year, why not let your family join in your dreams, too? According to PBS, planning a garden, planting the seeds, and watching them grow gives kids a sense of purpose and responsibility. And did you know helping your grandkids start their very own vegetable or flower garden engages all the senses and encourages healthy eating–of their veggies, not the flowers. So, why not plant a garden with your grandkids? Here are three simple steps to help you dig into your gardening adventures.
1. Pick your plants: Talk to your grandkids about the type of garden they’d like to plant. Do you want to eat what you grow or invite pollinators like bees and butterflies to your space? If you decide on a vegetable garden, choose vegetables your grandkids won’t push aside on their plate or try to feed the dog at dinner time. Newer to the gardening scene? Well, then, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots are suitable for those with a lighter green thumb. If you’ve decided on a flower garden to help the environment, choose flowers that butterflies and bees love like daisies, lavender, or sunflowers. Studies show honey bees alone pollinate 80 percent of all flowering plants, and sunflowers are a great option because they bloom in the fall when other pollinator resources are short.
2. Pick your garden space: Once you’ve chosen your plants, find out how much sun they’ll need to thrive. Did you know tomatoes generally need 6-8 hours a day and prefer the morning sun while flowering plants like daisies prefer full sun? When shopping, have your grandkids help you explore the plant tags. This can be a fun game of seek-and-find and the tags will have information regarding the care and feeding of your new plant friends. Once you have the details, take a look at your yard. Where is there sun versus shade? Is there a flat spot with easy access to a water source? These particulars can help you choose the perfect spot for your garden. If you’re running short on space, remember you can always grow your plants in pots. (The grandkids will enjoy painting and decorating them, too!)
3. Planting time: First, loosen the soil in your planting beds because this will help your plants access the water and nutrients they need to grow. Next, you and your crew can dig holes based on the instructions on the plant tags. Little hands love playing in the soil and research shows digging in the dirt can help boost a kid’s immune system and decrease the risk of asthma and allergies. When you remove plants from their containers, be sure to do so by pushing up from the bottom. Place your plant in the dirt, add water, and voila! It’s time to watch your garden grow!
By Tonilyn Hornung
P.S. Check out another cool way to make memories with the grandkids.
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