1) Start with seeds in smaller cups

BAsil in SEPTEMBER

Container Gardens!

If you have a yard but no garden I recommend sunflower seeds (or other flowers) as a good starting point. You can transplant those when they grow too big.

BAsil in April

GARDEN JOURNAL:

If your child has planted a seed in a decorated container (see Garden Crafts) or has helped in the family garden print out my Garden Journal Worksheet and help your child fill it out recording the date and any changes to the plants.

MORE WAYS TO GARDEN:

If you don’t have a garden or big yard or even if you have no yard at all and only a small balcony you can still plant using containers as we did at first.

If planting and tending to vegetables is too daunting a task plant some flowers in containers. They are easier to look after, and very pretty too!

Many cities also have community gardens where your family can plant in a little plot; see what is available in your community.

COMMUNITY GARDEN

FLOWERS GROWING

WHICH SEEDS SHOULD I PLANT?

There are so many different vessels you can grow plants in. You don't need to buy anything new. Save plastic pots from last year's plants, re-use cans from vegetables or tea cans, cut a large soda pop bottle in half and then you can use the top as a lid for a green house effect; use a baking powder container like the yellow one pictureed here.

I get lot of emails from great people from all over the world who have recommended many super sites for our various Family Theme Days.

I love hearing from everyone! Thank you so much!

WEBSITES:

This site offers lots of information on gardening with your kids: http://www.gardening-with-kids.com/

Garden

PLANT SEEDLINGS:

If you don't have the time or space to start your garden from seed months before gardening season then visit a greenhouse or other store when seedlings are ready for purchase and plant vegetables, herbs and flowers that are already well established. This was how we first started our garden when it was just a few simple boxes that my dad made for us.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

HERBS GROWING

PLANT SEEDS:

Use the small clay pots or plastic/paper cups decorated as a craft (see Garden - Crafts) or look around your home to see what you can use. Put a few stones at the bottom to let the water trickle down. Add some potting soil in each one.

Give your child some seeds to plant in the small pots by pressing a hole in the dirt and dropping some seeds in. Cover the seeds with a little more soil and gently pat down. Place the pots in a sunny area and water when the soil is dry.

3) GIVING THE PLANTS SOME OUTDOOR TIME WHILE WE WAIT FOR PERFECT PLANTING WEATHER

2) Then we transplanted to bigger containers

4) Finally time to plant outside!

PEAS GROWING

If you have a garden you can start seeds early (in late winter) and transplant when the weather is sunny and warm. Tomatoes and zucchini are great for this.

We made room in our bright laundry room to house the seeds. It works great for our little garden.

The best way to learn about plants and gardens is to sow some seeds! Don't worry if you don't have a backyard there are plenty of ideas listed below.

If you don't have a garden or yard, plant herbs and keep the pots/cans/ cups on your windowsil to use when they are grown in your recipes! Yum!

Special thanks to Mark from the website Yard Care Gurus who recommended his beginners guide to gardening with kids https://www.yardcaregurus.com/gardening-with-kids/