The Budding Gardener
Transcript of The Budding Gardener
TableofContents
AcknowledgementsTitlePageIntroductionChapter1-WatchItGrow
Let’sMakeaGarden!GrowingThreeSistersStartSquashIndoorsUseWhatYouHaveMakeaMini-GreenhouseAGreenhouseinMyHouseFallPlantingWatchThemSproutFishbowlJunglePlantsfromtheKitchenSavingSeeds
Chapter2-GardeningIndoorsandinContainers
SpringintheMiddleofWinterAmaryllisAnIndoorHerbGardenMini-TerrariumSucculentGardenPropagateaGeraniumGardenupaSaladGardeninaWadingPool
Chapter3-ThemeGardens
ButterflyGardenBusyBuzzingBeeGardenGrowYourInitialsHummingbirdGarden
All-WhiteGardenFlowerShopGardenMemoryGardenMoonGardenSensoryGardenInviteThesePlantstoTeaHerbGardenforCookingGrowYourOwnPizza
Chapter4-TakingCareofYourGarden
GardenMarkersWeedingMakingCompost(theTraditionalWay)RolyPolyComposterCompostTeaPartiesHomemadeWormFarmMakeaToadHouseBackyardBugHuntHandpickingasNaturalPestControlPlantingaNaturalMosquitoRepellentBambooBeeAbodeHarvestingandSharingtheCrop
Chapter5-JustforFun
SeedPacketPuzzlesMyOwnBeanstalkAllFiveSensesintheGardenMyGreen-HairedFriendsPlantaGiftSpiderWebSweetPeasMiniatureGardenGardenStoneArrangementsBeanPoleTeepee
IndexCopyrightPage
AcknowledgmentsThefollowingindividualscontributedideasandactivitiestothisbook:
AnneAdeney,LindaAtamian,LauraClaire-Gremett,SharonDempsey,LauraDurbrow,SueBradfordEdwards,KayFlowers,KarenGassett,VirginiaJeanHerrod,ErinHuffstetler,MaryAnnKohl,BarbLindsay,EileenLucas,JayneMorrison,SandraNagel,ShirleyAnneRamaley,DaniRosensteel,KimSt.
George,BarbaraSaul,DebbieVilardi,JackieWright
Introduction
HowtoGetStarted
Gardeningwithyourchildcanbeassmallandsimpleassprinklinggrassseedonadampsponge,oraslargeandcomplicatedasgrowingavegetablegardenthatwill feed the neighborhood. No matter where or how you begin, gardeningcultivates observation, patience, and responsibility, and offers rewards beyondmeasure.Thisisabookofideas.Pagethroughitandstartwithsomethingthatappealstoyouand toyour child.Letone thing lead to another.Followyour child’s leadandyourowninterests,andyoucannotgowrong.Happygardening!
Chapter1
WatchItGrow
Let’sMakeaGarden!
Hereisasimple,child-friendlygarden.Youcanaddtoitandmakeityourownasyouandyourchilddiscoverwhatyouenjoydoingtogether.Referbacktothis
pagewheneveryouneedarefresher.
WhatYou’llNeed
rake(useachild-sizedrakeifyouhaveone)seedsorseedlings(herb,flower,orvegetable)shovelsunny,outdoorgardenareatopsoilorcompost(seepage48)trowelwateringcan
WhattoDo
1Chooseasunnyspot.Startsmall,maybe3’by3’-youcanalwaysenlargethegardenlater.
2Yourchildcanhelpyoupreparethesoil.Withtheshovel,diguptheplantingareatoloosenthesoil.Youshoulddotheheavydiggingandencouragehimtobreakuptheclumpsofdirtwithhishandsandthetrowel.
trowel.3Addagoodlayeroftopsoilorcompost(youcanbuyabagatthegardencenter).Youdigitin,thenyourchildcanhelpyouraketheareasmooth.
4Demonstratehowtoplantaseedbydiggingasmallholewiththetrowel,puttingacoupleofseedsinit,andcoveringthemwithsoil.Ifyouareusingseedlings,showhowtodigasmallhole,inserttheseedling,andpresssoilgentlyaroundit.
5Watereverythingwell.6Checkthegardeneverydayandwaterwhenneeded.(See“TakingCareofyourGarden”onpages46—58,forideasaboutweedingandpestcontrol.)
7Astheplantsgrow,enjoythechangeswithyourchild.8Astheybecomeready,pickflowersandherbsforthehouseandvegetablesforthekitchen.
9Youmaywanttokeepasimplejournalwithyourchild,recordinginwordsandpictureshowthegardengrows.
GrowingThreeSisters
ThisisagardeningactivityandawaytolearnabouttheculturesthatEuropeansfoundwhentheyarrivedintheAmericas.Forthousandsofyears,peopleallover
theworldhavebeengardening,andwecanlearnfromthemall.
WhatYou’llNeed
asunnyareaatleast4’by4’compost(seepage48)corn, pole beans, and squash seeds (you can use zucchini or winter
squash,orboth)shovelsoiltrowel
BookstoShare
CornIsMaizebyAlikiOneBeanbyAnneRockwell
WhattoDo
1TalkwithyourchildaboutNativeAmericanculturesandpayavisittothelibrary.TheIroquoisnationsandmanyothertribescalledcorn,beans,andsquash“TheThreeSisters.”NativeAmericansplantedthesevegetablestogether,andthethreeplantshelpedeachotherjustashumanbrothersandsistersdo.Corngrowstallandgivesthebeanssomethingtoclimbon.Beansaddnitrogentothesoiltofertilizethecornandthesquash.Bristlysquashstemskeepanimalsfromeatingtheotherplants.
2Ifyouaregoingtoplantinanareathathasnotbeenplantedbefore,usetheshoveltoremovethegrassorsod,andloosenthesoiltoprepareagardenbed.
3Markfourrowsoffourholeseach.Youandyourchildcanworktogethertodigeachhole4”to6”deep.Spacetheholesabout1’apart.
4Mixcompost(seepage48)withthesoilyouhaveremovedfromtheholes.Thisisagreatjobforyourchild,usinghandsoratrowel.
5Helpyourchildoverfilltheholeswiththecompostandsoilmixture.Don’tstopuntilyouhaveasmallmound(4”highand12”wide)ontopofeachhole.
6Plantfourcornseedsineachmound,makingasmallcirclearoundthecenterofthemound.Watertheseseedswell.
7Checkthemeverydayandkeepthemwatered.Whenthecornis4to6”tall,plantfourbeanseeds,oneoneachsideofthemoundandabouthalfwaydownthemound,andplantfoursquashseedsaroundthebaseofeachmound.
8Asthebeansgrow,windthemaroundthecornstalks.
8Asthebeansgrow,windthemaroundthecornstalks.
StartSquashIndoors
Squashisagreatplantforchildren.Itgrowsquicklyandproducesimpressivevinesandanabundantharvest.Startitindoorstomakeitevenmoreinteresting.
WhatYou’llNeed
largetrayornewspapertoprotecttheworksurfaceoldspoonpapercups(pokeaholeinthebottomofeach,fordrainage)pottingsoilsquashseedswaterandsunlight
WhattoDo
1Placematerialsonalargetrayoronatablecoveredwithnewspaper.2Haveyourchildscoopsoilintoeachcup.3Putaseedontopofthesoilandcoverlightlywithmoresoil.4Waterwell.5Placetheplantsinsunlight.6Waitandwatch,checkingeverydayandwateringasneeded.7Whentheseedlingsarestrongandsturdy,plantthemoutdoorsinyourgardenandwatchthemgrow!
UseWhatYouHave
Youalreadyhavesimplecontainersforstartingseeds!Youoryourchildmaycomeupwithmoreideasofyourown.
WhatYou’llNeed
anoldplasticicecubetrayoracleaneggcartonseedsofyourchoicesunnywindowsillwater
WhattoDoYourchildcandoallofthesesteps,withsupervision.
1Pokeasmallholeinthebottomofeachcupofyouricecubetrayoreggcartonsothatthewatercandrain.
2Filleachcupwithpottingsoil.3Planttwoorthreeseedsineachcup.4Water,andplaceonasunnywindowsill.5Checkdaily,andkeepthesoilmoist.6Oncetheseedshavesprouted,pinchoffthesmallestplantssothatyouhaveonestrongplantpercup.
7Whentheseedlingsaresturdy,plantthemoutsideinyourgarden.
MakeaMini-Greenhouse
Youandyourchildcanstartplantsindoorsintheearlyspring,andtheywillbereadytoplantoutdoorswhenthesoilwarmsup.Or,ifyouplantlettuce,spinach,orbeetseedsinaminigreenhouse,youcanusethetinyleavesandgreensany
timeasadeliciousadditiontoyoursalad.
WhatYou’llNeed
asmallwateringcanclearplasticberryboxeswithhingedlids
pottingsoil(youcanbuyabagatthehardwarestoreorgardencenter)seedsofyourchoice
WhattoDoYourchildcandoallofthesesteps,withsupervision.
1Rinseouttheberryboxes.2Fillthemabouthalffullofpottingsoilandplanttheseedsinside.Tryfast-growingplantssuchasbeans,lettuce,radishes,andthymetokeepyourchildcaptivatedthroughoutthegrowingprocess.
3Waterlightly,thenclosethelid.4Placethefinishedgreenhousesinasunnylocation.Putsomethingunderthemtocatchdrips.Keepthelidsclosedoncolddays;openthemonwarmdays.
5Waterasneeded,butdon’tletthesoilgetsoggy.Explainthatthe“greenhouseeffect”keepsmoisturein.
6Whentheseedlingsarereadyandalldangeroffrostispast,helpyourchildtransferthemtothegarden.
AGreenhouseinMyHouse
Hereisanothersimplewaytohaveagreenhouseindoors.Thisonewillaccommodatelargerplants.
WhatYou’llNeed
clear plastic bags big enough to cover each plant without impedinggrowthseedlingsinpotsstickstosupportthetopsofbags(12”to18”tall)
WhattoDo
1Talkaboutgreenhousesandhowtheyhelpplantsgrowbyholdinginmoistureandwarmth.Ifthereisarealgreenhousenearbyataplant
moistureandwarmth.Ifthereisarealgreenhousenearbyataplantnurseryorinacitypark,youmightwanttoplanavisit.
2Tomakethisverysimpleindoorgreenhouse,firstwatertheseedlingsinthepotswell,andletthemdrain.Theninserttwoorthreesticksintoeachpot,andputthepotinsideaclearplasticbagsothesticksholdtheplasticawayfromtheplant.Blowintothebagtopuffitup,andtieitclosed.
3Ifyouwant,leaveafewplantsuncoveredforcomparison.4Asthedaysgoby,guideyourchildtonoticethecondensationinsidethegreenhouses.Youcandiscussthewatercycle.Dotheplantsinthegreenhousesgrowfasterthantheonesyouleftuncovered?Dotheyneedwateringlessoften?
5Beforeyouremovethebags,haveyourchildslipafingerortwoinsidetofeelthemoisture.Smelltheairinsidethegreenhouse.Removethegreenhouseswhentheplantsgetcrowded,andtransfertheplantsoutdoors.
FallPlanting
Thisisanexerciseinpatientwaiting,withajoyfulsurpriseattheend.Thebulbssproutandbloominthespringwhenwehavealmostforgottenaboutthem!
WhatYou’llNeed
bulbs:snowdrop,crocus,daffodil,tulipbulbfood(fromthegardencenter)shoveltopsoiltrowelswateringcan
WhattoDo
1Identifytheoutdoorareayouwanttouseasagardenbed.Prepareitforplantingbyturningoverthedirt(seepage10).
2Addtopsoilandbulbfood,ifneeded.3Youandyourchildcanworktogethertodigholesforthebulbs.Youwillneedoneholeperbulb,andtheholesneedtobeabouttwiceasdeepasthesizeofthebulb.
4Putthebulbsintheholes,roundedsidedown,andpressfirmly.5Refilltheholeswithdirt.6Waterwellandwaituntilspring!
AnotherThoughtYou do not have to create one flower bed. You can plant bulbs individuallywhereveryouwantthemforanextrasurprisewhenspringcomes.
WatchThemSprout
Thisprojecthasseveralsimplecomponents:collectingtheseeds,settingthingsup,andwatchingtheseedssprout.Itoffersanopportunitytowatchthegrowth
thatusuallyhappensunderground,invisibletous.
WhatYou’llNeed
anassortmentofseeds(see“WhattoDo”forideas)asmallamountofpurchasedgrassseed(optional)clearplasticcupspapertowelspermanentmarker,orpapertomakelabelsplasticwrapshallowdishsponge
WhattoDo
1Collectingtheseedsyouandyourchildwanttoobserveispartofthefun.Youmightincludegrassseed,seedscollectedfromfruitinyourkitchen(forexample:apples,grapefruit),driedbeans(lentilsworkespeciallywell),orseedscollectedoutdoors.Tryanyseedthatinterestsyou.Somewillsprout,andsomewillnot.Somewillbequickandsomewillbeslow.Thisprojectcanbeaslargeorassmallasyouandyourchildwish!
2Asyoucollecttheseeds,puttheminenvelopesorsmallplasticbagsandlabelthem,ornotewhereyoufoundthem.Thiswilladdinteresttotheproject.
3Ifyouareusinggrassseed,wetthespongeandhaveyourchildsprinklegrassseedsalloverit.Putthespongeintheshallowdishandaddwatersoitstaysdamp.Children,especiallyyoungones,enjoywatchinggrasssproutandgrowonthesponge.Youcandothisoverandoveragain!Justpulloffthegrass,washthesponge,anditisreadyforthenexttime.
4Forallotherseeds,haveyourchildwetapapertowelandfoldittofitinsideaclearplasticcuporasmallzip-topbag.Helpherslipafewseedsbetweenthepapertowelandtheclearplasticsotheyareeasilyvisible.Addatablespoonortwoofwaterforthetoweltoabsorb.
5Dothisforasmanyseedsasyouwant.Labelthem,coverthecupswith
5Dothisforasmanyseedsasyouwant.Labelthem,coverthecupswithplasticwrap,andputtheminadimspotuntiltheystarttosprout.Besurethetowelsstaydamp.
6Oncetheseedshavesprouted,movethemintothelightsoyoucanwatchtheleavesturngreen.
7Atthispoint,youcandecideifyouwanttocontinuebyplantingyourlittleplantsinpots.
FishbowlJungle
Hereisanotherwaytowatchseedssprout.Thisoneispurefun—yourchildmaywanttousethefishbowljungle“habitat”forplaywithsmalltoyjungleanimals.
Youcantalkaboutjunglesandrainforestsifyouwant.
WhatYou’llNeed
clearplasticwrapcottonballs
fishbowlgardenpeaseedswater
WhattoDo
1Arrangealayerofcottonballsinthebottomofthefishbowl.2Wetthecottonthoroughly;allwatershouldbeabsorbedbythecotton,sopouroutanyexcesswater.
3Sprinkletheseedsoverthecotton.4Coverthebowlwithplasticwrapandplaceitnearawindow.5Watchiteachdayandkeepitmoist.Theseedswillsprout,andeventuallythevineswillcompletelyfillthebowl,creatingaminiaturejungle.
PlantsfromtheKitchen
Watchfamiliarvegetablesturnintosturdyplantsrightonyourwindowsill.
WhatYou’llNeed
freshcarrotsshallowdishorsaucer
sweetpotatotallglassorjarlargeenoughtoholdthesweetpotatotoothpickswater
WhattoDoForthecarrot:
1Sliceabout½“fromthetopofthecarrot(thethickend).2Putthesliceofcarrotintothedishorsaucerwiththecutsidedown,andputenoughwaterinthedishtoreachhalfwayupthecarrotslice.
3Putthesaucerinasunnywindow,andreplenishthewaterasneeded.4Afterafewdaysyouwillseethatthecarrotgreensaregrowing.
Forthesweetpotato:
1Cutabout½“offthethickerendofthesweetpotato.2Halfwayupfromthecut,pushseveraltoothpicksintothesweetpotatotosupportitintheglass.
3Suspendthesweetpotatointheglass,andfillitupwithwatersothebottomofthevegetableiscompletelysubmerged.
4Waitandwatch.Addwaterasneededtokeepthelevelconstant.Bepatient:Itwilltakeanywherefrom10daystotwoweeksforthepotatotobegintosprout.
5Oncetherootsarewelldeveloped,thesweetpotatocanbeplantedinapotandwillmakeabeautifulhouseplant.
SavingSeeds
Ourforefathersandforemothersdidit,butsavingseedsissomethingwerarelyconsidertoday.Itisverysatisfyingandverysimple.
WhatYou’llNeed
cookiesheetsortraysfordryingseedsenvelopesmarkers
BookstoShare
SeedsbyKenRobbins
TheStoryofJohnnyAppleseedbyAlikiWhatKindofSeedsareThese?byHeidiBeeRoemer
ThinkingaheadInclude several plants in your garden with easy-to-harvest seeds. Cosmos,marigolds, sunflowers, impatiens,morning glory, cleomes, zinnia, sweet peas,andcorianderareallgoodchoices.WhattoDo
1Observetheplantsthroughoutthegrowingseason.2Talkaboutreasonstosaveseeds:topreservehistory,tosavemoney,tosharewithothers.(See“MemoryGarden,”onpage38.)
3Whentheseedsarereadytoharvest,showyourchildhowtocollectthem.Thenstepback,andlethimdothework.Ifyouareunsurehowtoharvesttheseedsfromaparticularplant,lookonlineforinstructions.(Searchfor“savinggardenseeds,”ortrythiswebsite:www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/projects/aug04/pg1.html.)
4Spreadthecollectedseedsoutonacookiesheetortray,andallowthemtodryforatleastaweek(acoolspotindoorsisbest).
5Yourchildcandecorateenvelopesforsavingtheseeds.Encouragehimtodrawapictureoftheplant,labelit,andwriteordictatesimplegrowinginstructionsbasedonwhatyouobservedinyourgarden.Thisisespeciallyniceifyouwillbeusingthemforgifts.
6Placetheseedsintheenvelopes.7Storetheminacool,drylocationuntilnextspring.
Chapter2
GardeningIndoorsandinContainers
SpringintheMiddleofWinter
Thisisaclassicindoorgrowingexperience.Itwillfillyourhomewithbeautyandfragranceinthecoldest,darkestmonthsoftheyear.
WhatYou’llNeed
a shallowbowlwhichwill hold several bulbs, or individual cups largeenoughtoholdonebulbeachpaper-white narcissus bulbs (available at hardware stores and gardencentersinthefall)smallstonesormarbles(thenaturalgravelsoldforfishtanksisideal)water
WhattoDoYourchildcancarryouteverypartofthisactivity.
1Fillthebowlorcupswithstonesormarblestoabout½“ofthetop.2Useyourhandstomakeashallowdepressioninthestonesforeachbulbyouwanttoplant.Theycanbeveryclosetogether.
3Setthebulbsinthedepressions,rootsidedown,andmoundthegraveluparoundthemalittletoholdthemsteady.Thetophalfofeachbulbshouldremainuncovered.
4Addwatertocoverthestonesandthebottomofthebulbs.5Placethecontainersinawell-lightedplace.6Addwatereveryday,asneeded,tokeepthebottomofthebulbssubmerged.Waitandwatch.Inaweekortwo,youwillseegreensprouts,andshortlyafterwards,budswillappear,thenfragrantflowers.
sprouts,andshortlyafterwards,budswillappear,thenfragrantflowers.
Amaryllis
Hereisanotherspring-in-winterexperience.Becauseamaryllisplantsgrowsodramaticallytallandhavesuchlargeflowers,itcanbefuntomeasureand
recordtheirgrowth.
WhatYou’llNeed
apieceofposterboardorotherlargepaperamaryllisbulbinapotcamera(optional)markers
rulerwateryardstick
WhattoDo
1InDecember,youcanfindamaryllisbulbsinpotsforsaleatmosthardwareandhomesupplystoresandinmanysupermarkets.Thesefast-growingbulbsgrowtoabout2’tallandhavehugebrightblooms.
2Putthepottedbulbonasaucertocatchthedrips,andwateritwell,followingtheinstructionsontheboxitcamein.Putitinabrightspot.
3Findaplacetohangupthepaper.Whenthegreenshootsappear,haveyourchildusetherulertomeasurethemeverydayandtodrawalineonthepapertorecordtheirheight.Itisanexcitingdaywhentheflowerbudshowsitself!Finally,whentherulerisnotlongenough,startusingtheyardstick.
4Whenthebloomsopen,youmaywanttomeasurethem,too.5Eachday,ifnecessary,remindyourchildtobethegardenerwhowillchecktoseeiftheplantneedswater,addwaterifneeded,andthendothemeasuring.
6Youmaywanttotakepicturestodocumentthisremarkableplant.
AnIndoorHerbGarden
Anindoorherbgardenoffersamultisensorygardeningexperienceatyourfingertips.Textures,smells,andflavors,allonyourkitchenwindowsill.
WhatYou’llNeed
newspapertocovertheworksurfaceoranoldplastictableclotholdspoontouseasasmalltrowelpottingsoil
smallherbplantssmallpotswateringcan
WhattoDo
1Takeyourchildtovisitalocalnursery,andtalkwithanemployeeaboutwhichherbsdowellindoors.Besureyourchildisincludedintheconversation,andbesurehehelpspickouttheherbsforhisindoorgarden.Threeorfourherbswillbeenoughforayoungchildtostart.
2Discusspottingsoilwiththeemployeeandwhatsizepotstouse.3Backhome,chooseawindowsillorotherappropriateplacefortheherbs.Itshouldhaveplentyoflight.Itisespeciallyniceifitcanbeinthekitchen.
4Coveryourworksurfacewiththenewspaperorplastictablecloth.5Workingwithyourchild,showhimhowtopotthefirstherb,usinghishands,thespoon,andthepottingsoil.Whenitissettledinthepot,wateritwell.Lethimdotherestonhisown,butstaynearbyincaseheneedshelp.
6Setthepotsonthewindowsillandremindhimtowaterasneeded.7Whentheherbplantsarebigenough,showyourchildhowtocutoffjustenoughtouseforcooking.Ifhehelpscookwithhisownherbs,youmaysoonhaveabuddingchefaswellasagardener!
Mini-Terrarium
Itisfuntocreateasmallhabitatinacontainer.Ifyouchoosetropicalplants,partiallycovertheopeningofthefishbowlwithplasticwraptoincreasethe
amountofhumidityinside.
WhatYou’llNeed
aclearglassorplasticcontainerwithawideopening(agoldfishbowlorasmallfishtankisideal)
afewsmallplants(Visitagardencenterandlookforsmallhouseplants.Ivyandasparagusfernsarehardyandusuallydowell.Forflowers,youmightchooseviolas,smallpetunias,orminiatureAfricanviolets.)colorfulaquariumrocksorothersmallgravelnewspapersoranoldplastictableclothtocoveryourworkarea
WhattoDo
1Spreadoldnewspaperoranoldplastictableclothoveryourworkarea.2Setoutthecontainer.Yourchildshouldfillitabout¼fullwithcolorfulrocksorgravel.
3Now,usingthecup,hecanscooppottingsoilintothecontainer,fillingittoaboutthehalfwaymark.
4Demonstratehowtoremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticnurserypots.5Withhissmallhands,lethimmakeholesinthedirtandplantthelittleplantsinthefishbowl.Pressthedirtfirmlyaroundtherootsandaddalittlemoredirtifneededtokeeptheminplace.
6Watertheterrarium.7Forclean-up,bundletheexcesspottingsoilintheoldnewspaperortableclothandtakeitoutside.
8Placetheindoormini-gardennearasunnywindowbutnotindirectsun,andwateritabouttwiceaweek.Donotoverwaterthisenclosedspace!Yourchildmayneedguidance,buthewillenjoytheresponsibilityofwatering.
SucculentGarden
Succulentsareterrificindoorplantsthatrequireverylittlemaintenanceandgrowslowly.Theyhaveunusualshapesandgrowthhabits,andyouwilldiscoververysoonthattheycanbepropagatedeasilyfromcuttingsorfromtheleaves
thatbreakoffaccidentally.
WhatYou’llNeed
acurvedpieceofplasticcutfromadelicontainerafewsucculentplants(see“WhattoDo”forideas)awidepotwithgooddrainagecleansand
rocksorpebblessoilmixedwithsandsomething to cover your work surface: newspaper or an old plastictablecloth
WhattoDo
1Takeatripwithyourchildtoanurseryorgardencenterandselectavarietyofsucculents.Lookforthornlessvarieties!Someexamplesarealoe,jadeplant,henandchicks(sempervivum),livingstone,anddonkey-tailsedum.Yournurserymayhaveothervarietiesavailable.Encourageyourchildtochooseplantsshelikes.
2Athome,coveryourworksurfaceandgatheryourmaterialstogether.3Yourchildcancoverthedrainageholeofthelargepotwiththecurvedbitofplastic.Thiswillkeepthegravelandsoilfromwashingout,butallowwatertodrain.Thenaskhertoputalayerofrocksorpebblesinthebottomofthepot.
4Nowsheshouldaddsandysoiltothepotandpatitsmooth.5Helphertoremovetheplantsfromtheirnurserypotsandplanttheminthebigpot.Whenalloftheplantsareinplace,sprinklethesurfaceofthesoilwithsand.
6Watertheplants.Explaintoyourchildthatmostsucculentsaredesertplants.Theystorewaterintheirthick,fleshyleaves.Wateryoursucculentsaboutonceaweek,andletthemgetfairlydrybetweenwaterings.
7Findawarm,sunnylocationforyournewgarden.8Asyoucreatethegarden,bitsofthesucculentswillalmostcertainlybreakoff.Donotworry!Savethesepieces.Inaweekortwo,theywillsendouttinythread-likerootsandyouwillbeabletoaddthemtoyourgardenorstartanew,smallgardeninanotherpot.
PropagateaGeranium
Startwithoneplantandmakemore!Geraniumsareeasytogrowandareappealinghouseplants.
WhatYou’llNeed
asmallbagofgravel(soldforfishtanks)geraniumplant(forafragrantexperience,chooseascentedgeranium)pottingsoilscissorssmallcups,glasses,orjarsofwatersmallflowerpotssomesmallpiecesofcurvedplastic,cutfromdelicontainers
WhattoDo
1Youandyourchildcantalkaboutsomedifferentwaysplantsgetstarted:forexample,seeds,bulbs,and,surprisingly,fromcuttings.
2Showyourchildhowtomakeacuttingfromageraniumplant—thenlethermakeseveralindependently.
3Placeeachcuttinginacontainerofwater.Waitandwatchfortherootstoform.
4Oncetherootslookstrong,helpyourchildpreparethepots.Covereachdrainageholewithapieceofcurvedplastic,thenputalittlegravelinthebottomofthepotsontopoftheplastic.
5Filleachpotwithpottingsoil,makeaholeinthedirtwithyourfinger,andsettlethenewplantsgentlyintotheholes.
6Waterthemwell,andgivethemahomeonasunnywindowsill.7Theselittleplantsmakegreatgifts.(See“PlantaGift”onpage64.)
AnotherThoughtTrythiswithotherplants.Coleusandimpatiensaretwogardenplantsthatstarteasilyfromcuttingsandcanbegrowninpotsindoors.
GardenupaSalad
Youcangrowsaladgreensupintheairevenifyouhavenogardenareaatall!Awindow,porch,orbalconywithahangingbasketwillproduceenoughfor
severalmeals.
WhatYou’llNeed
hangingplanterbasketrocksorpebblesseedsorbeddingplantssuitableforsalad(lettuce,nasturtium,arugula,orspinach)soilwateringcan
BookstoShare
AGardenersAlphabetbyMaryAzarianTheVegetablesWeEatbyGailGibbons
WhattoDo
1Haveyourchildplacealayerofrocksorpebblesinthebottomoftheplanter.(Thishelpswithdrainage.)
2Next,helpheraddsoiltotheplanter,almosttothetop.Waterthesoilsoitisdampbutnotsoaking.
3Sprinklewithseeds.Scatterseedssothattheplantsarenottoocrowded,thenlightlycovertheseedswithsoil.Wateragain.
4Ifyouprefertousebeddingplants,helpyourchilddigholesinthesoilwithherhandsandsettlethesmallplantsin.Waterthem.
5Hangtheplanterwhereitwillgetlotsoflight.Directsunlightinthemorningisgood,butmanysaladplantsdowellinpartialshade,especiallyintheafternoon.
6Waterwhenthesoilfeelsdry.7Thintheseedlingsasnecessaryastheplantsgrow.Youcanaddthesetinyplantstoyoursalads.Otherwise,simplyharvest,wash,andeatastheplantsgrow.
GardeninaWadingPool
Ifyouhaveasunnyspotoutside,hereisawayforyouandyourchildtohaveanoutdoorgardenthatinvolvesnodiggingatall.
WhatYou’llNeed
severallargebagsofpottingsoilsmallwadingpooltrowelorsmallrakevegetableandflowerseedsofyourchoicewateringcan
WhattoDo
1Pokeadozenorsoholesinthebottomofthewadingpoolsothatitwillnotturnintoaswampwhenyouwaterit.Thisisanadultstep.Putitinasunnyspotwhereyouwantittostay.Whenyouarefinished,itwillbetooheavytomoveeasily.
2Yourchildwilllovehelpingyoufillthepoolwithpottingsoil.Fillittowithin2”ofthetop.Thisisagreatopportunitytoplay!
3Whenyouarethroughplayinginthedirt,yourchildcanrakeitsmoothandwateritwell.Letitsitovernightsothewatercandrainandthedirtcansettle.Thenextday,addmoredirtifnecessary.
4Now,youhaveagardenplot,readytoplant.Youandyourchildcandecidewhatyouwanttoplantandwhatarrangementofplantswillbepleasing.
5Plantseedsorsmallplants,justasthoughyouwereplantingintheground.Water,wait,andwatch:thethreeW’sofgardening.
AnotherThoughtIfyouhavenospotthatgetssunallday,youcanusethissameideabyplantinga child-sized garden in an old wheelbarrow. With your help, your child canmovethisgardenaroundyouryardorpatiotokeepitinthesun.
Chapter3
ThemeGardens
ButterflyGarden
Everybodylovesbutterflies.Youcanencouragethembyplantingoneortwoflowerstheylike,orawholegardenfull.
WhatYou’llNeed
plasticcups(pokeaholeinthebottomfordrainage)orsmallpotssoilseveralof the followingseedsor smallplants:beebalm,butterflybush(buddleia), foxglove, heliotrope, lupine, morning glory, nasturtium,QueenAnne’sLace,snapdragon,sweetWilliam,viburnum,yarrowsunnyoutdoorgardenspotorplanterssunnywindowsill
WhattoDo
1Decideonaplaceforyourbutterflygarden.Itwillneedplentyofsun:forbutterfliestobeactive,theymusthavewarmthandsunlight.Youcanuseanestablishedgardensite,awindowbox,orhangingplanters.Talkwithyourchildaboutthedesignofthegarden,choosingplantsindifferentcolors,scents,andheights.
2Ifpossible,includeabenchorotherseatingandsomebricksorrocksaspartofthedesign.Therockorbrickcanbedousedwithsugarwateroccasionallytogivethebutterfliesanextratreat.
3Ifyouareusingseeds,plantthemintheplasticcups.Putthemonasunnywindowsillandkeepthesoilmoist.Whentheseedlingsareabout2”tall,
windowsillandkeepthesoilmoist.Whentheseedlingsareabout2”tall,transplantthemtoyourgardenorplantersandremembertowaterthem.
4Ifyouareusingsmallplants,plantthemdirectlyinthegroundandwaterwell.Now,enjoytheflowersandwaitforthebutterfliestocome!
5Foranotherbutterflytreat,occasionallyputoutsomejuicyslicedfruit.6Justforfun,cutsomebutterflyshapesoutofcleanplasticmilkcartons.Yourchildcandecoratethemwithpermanentmarkersandfastenthemtoslendersticks.Thesemakecharminggardendecorations.
AnotherThoughtIfyouhaveroomforabutterflybush(buddleia),youwillattractbutterfliesveryquickly.
BusyBuzzingBeeGarden
Beesareessentialtothehealthofourgardensandourentireplanet.Ifwegivethemwhattheyneed,theywillgivebacktousmanytimesover.
WhatYou’llNeed
bee-friendlyplants (includespringbloomerssuchas:beeplant,borage,
sage, daisies, or marigolds; summer bloomers, such as basil, mint,oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, or tomato; and autumn bloomers:rosemary,verbena,cosmos,orsunflowers)preparedgardenbedshovelortrowel
WhattoDo
1Thisisaprojectthatwillbenefitfromatriptothelibrary.Beforeyoubegin,gotothelibrarywithyourchildandlearnasmuchasyoucanaboutbeesandwhattheydoforus.
2Afterthelibrarytrip,youandyourchildwillbefullofideas,andyoucandecidetogetherwhatplantsyouwanttoinclude.
3Gotoaplantnurserytogethertoselecttheplantsandseedsyouneed.4Now,plantyourbee-friendlygarden.Youaregoingtomakesurethebeeshavefoodtoeatfromspringtofall.
5Workwithyourchildtoarrangethegardenwiththetallplantsattheback.Besuretoarrangethemsothatspring,summer,andautumnbloomersareintermixed.
6Helpyourchildplanteverythingandthenwaterthegardenbed.7Ifyoucan,addamistingsprinkler.Beesneedmoistureaswellasfood.
AnotherThoughtDonotmulchthisgarden.Somebeeslaytheireggsinthegroundandcannotdigthroughmulch.Also,see“BambooBeeAbode”onpage56.
GrowYourInitials
DaisiesforDavid,MarigoldsforMarissa,IrisforIvan,PetuniasforPablo.Creatingasimple,specialconnectionlikethisforyourchildcanbeginalife-
longrelationshipwiththenaturalworld.
WhatYou’llNeed
preparedgardensoil
seedsorplantswithnamesthatstartwithyourchild’sinitialshovelortrowelwater
ABooktoShare
AGardener’sAlphabetbyMaryAzarian
WhattoDo
1Dosomeresearchwithyourchildtofindoutwhatvegetables,herbs,orflowershavenamesthatstartwiththefirstinitialofhisname.Plantoplantoneormoreoftheseinyourgarden,orcreateasmallgardenofjustthesespecialplants.
2Perhapsyourchild’snameisreminiscentofanactualflowerorherb,suchasLily,Rosemary,orBasil.Youcouldincludethatplantinthegarden.OrlookintotheLatinnamesorothercommonnamesofplantsforinspiration.Lemonbalmismelissaofficinalis.AstersarealsocalledMichaelmasdaisies.
3Gathertheseedsandplantsyouhavedecidedtoplant,andyouandyourchildcancreatethisgardentogether.(See“Let’sMakeaGarden!”page10.)
4Youcouldexpandthisideainseveralways.Plantasmallgardenintheshapeoftheinitial,orplantyourchild’sentirename:Daisy,Aster,Violet,Iris,Daffodil,forexample.
HummingbirdGarden
Itwilltakealittletimeforthehummingbirdstofindyourgarden,butthewaitiswellworthit.Theyareuniquetinybirds,endlesslyfascinatingtowatch.
WhatYou’llNeed
asunnygardenplotorasunnywindowboxappropriateflowerstoattracthummingbirdsinyourarea
shovel,trowel,othergardeningtoolsasneededwater
ABooktoShare
TheHummingbirdGardenbyChristineBakerWidman
WhattoDo
1Lookatsomebooksabouthummingbirds.Seebelowforasuggestion.2Selecttheareawhereyouwantthehummingbirdgarden.Youandyourchildshouldmakethisdecisiontogether.Thelocationshouldbesunnyandeasytosee.Itcanbelargeorsmall;itcanbeawindowbox;itcanevenbeasingleplant.
3Takeyourchildtovisitalocalgardenshoptolearnwhichplantsgrowwellinyourareaandwillattracthummingbirds.Hummingbirdslovered,andtheyareespeciallyattractedtotubularflowers.Talkingaboutthisaheadoftimewillhelpyourchildpickoutappropriateplants.
4Withyourchild,planttheflowersintheareayouselected.5Water,wait,andwatch.Bepatient—itcantakeawhileforthebirdstofindtheirwaytoanewgarden.
6Ifyouhangahummingbirdfeederinyourgardenarea,thebirdsmayfindyoumorequickly.
All-WhiteGarden
Anall-whitegardenproducesanunusualanddramaticeffect.
WhatYou’llNeed
adult-sizedgardentoolsany other plants you choose that fit with the theme (white eggplant?snow-on-themountain?Beascreativeasyouwant.)child-sizedshovel,spade,andhoefertilizerifneeded
topsoilorcompost(seepage48)trowelwaterhosewhite and cream-colored flowering plants (some possibilities arewhitepetunias,chrysanthemums,roses,whiteimpatiens,anddaisies)
WhattoDo
1First,selecttheplaceforyourwhitegarden.Decidehowbigitwillbeandpreparethesoil.(See“Let’sMakeaGarden!”onpage10.)Asalwaysforflowersandvegetables,youwillneedasunnyspotwitheasyaccesstowater.
2Next,visitalocalnurserywithyourchild.Talkwithanemployeeaboutwhiteorcream-coloredplantsthatgrowwellinyourpartofthecountry.Encourageyourchildtoaskquestionsandbesurethathehelpspickouttheplants.
3Plantyourgarden,waterit,andtendit.Enjoytherestfuleffectofthewhiteflowersinmidsummer.
AnotherThoughtThis garden idea can be adapted easily to any color of your choice. If yourchild’s favorite color is purple, you and he can plant a special garden full ofpurple flowers, purple vegetables (eggplant, some heirloom tomatoes), andpurpleherbs(purplebasil).Letyourchild’simaginationguideyou.
FlowerShopGarden
Withsomepre-planning,youcancreateadelightfulvariationontheclassicsummerlemonadestand.Thisisagreatprojectforagroupofneighborhood
children.
WhatYou’llNeed
a4’x4’area(mixedsunandshade)
bluntscissorsboxcutter(adultuseonly,ifyouareusingthecardboardbox)floweringplants(see“WhattoDo”forsuggestions)largecardboardboxorabeachumbrella(optional)markersplasticvasesorclearplasticcupsribbonshovelsmallnarrowfoldingtablesmalloutdoorstoolorchairtrowel
WhattoDo
1Inpreparation,youandyourchildwillhaveplantedandtendedaflowergarden(see“Let’sMakeaGarden!”onpage10)withavarietyofflowers.Somepossibilitiesincludeasters,bachelor’sbutton,phlox,cosmos,petunias,marigolds,andsalvias.
2Whentheflowersarereadyforcutting,itistimetosetuptheflowerstand.Besuretotalkinadvanceabouthowthechildrenwillusethemoneytheyearnandwhattheywilldowithanyflowersthatareleftoverattheendoftheday.(Donatingthemtoalocalnursinghomeisonepossibility.)
3Ifyouhavealargecardboardbox,suchasanappliancebox,youcancutalargeopeninginthefrontanda“door”inthebackofthebox.Yourchildcanusethemarkerstodecoratetheboxwithflowersandleaves.Thiswillprovideshelterfortheflowersellersandsomeshadefortheflowers.Ifyoudonothaveabigbox,abeachumbrellaisaneffectiveandcolorfulalternative.
4Setupasmalltableandachairortwoinsidetheboxorunderthe
4Setupasmalltableandachairortwoinsidetheboxorundertheumbrella.
5Puttheplasticvasesandpre-cutlengthsofribbononthetable.6Usethebluntscissorstosnipsomebloomsandtakethemintotheflowershop.
7Tiethebloomsupwiththeribbon,puttheminthevases,andopenyourflowerstandforbusiness.
8Attheendoftheday,besuretofollowupwiththeideasyoudiscussedforusingthemoneyandtheextraflowers.
MemoryGarden
Thisgardengrowsoneplantatatime,anditisallaboutloveandgenerosity.
WhatYou’llNeed
apreparedgardenarea(see“Let’sMakeaGarden!”onpage10)materialstomakeplanttagsseedsandplantsfromfriendsandrelativestrowelorshovelwaterweather-proofpermanentmarkerorpen
WhattoDo
1Thememorygardenisaplacetoplantseedsandplantsgivenbyfriendsandfamily,orplantsthathaveotherspecialmemoriesattachedtothem.Whenweseetheplantsgrowingortheflowersblooming,wecanthinkofthepeoplewhogaveusthisenjoymentandrememberthetimewespentwiththem.
2Asfriendsandrelativesgiveyouplantsandseeds,helpyourchildplantthemandmarkeachspotwithatag.Thistagshouldhavethenameofthepersonwhogavetheseedsorplantandthenameoftheplant.Simpleplanttagscanbemadefromanyweather-proofmaterial.Besureyou
planttagscanbemadefromanyweather-proofmaterial.Besureyouprintwithapermanentmarkerorinkpensotheinformationdoesnotwashawayintherain.
3Asyoutendthegardentogetherandtheplantsbloomandgrow,talkwithyourchildabouthowtheyremindyouofpeopleyoulove:theredzinniasfromNanawholovestowearredorthescentofMr.Bauer’slemonbalmtea.
4Youcanaddtothegardeninotherways,too:maybewithspecialrocksfromplacesyouhavevisitedorabrickfromthewallthatwasremovedwhenAuntieGloriabuiltherramp.Inthisway,amemorygardencantellaverypersonalstoryofloveandconnection.
5Asthememorygardengrowsandbloomsovertheyears,helpyourchildcontinuethetraditionbycollectingseedsordividingplantstosharewithothersinturn.
MoonGarden
Agardenbloomingatnightissheermagic.Somefloweringplantsbloomatduskandfadeinthedaylight,andsomeflowersreleasetheirfragranceonlyatnight.
Useallyoursensestoenjoythisgarden.
WhatYou’llNeed
beddingplantsofvariousnightbloomingvarieties(see“WhattoDo”)apreparedgardenplot(see“Let’sMakeaGarden!onpage10)shovel,trowel,hoewater
WhattoDo
1Dosomeresearchwithyourchildaboutplantsthatbloomatnight.AgoodbooktoconsultisTheEveningGarden:FlowersandFragrancefromDusktillDawnbyPeterLoewer.Night-bloomingplantsprovidefoodformothsandothernight-flyinginsects.Thetallerplantsgive
sheltertofireflies.2Takeatriptoalocalnurseryandchooseavarietyofnight-bloomingplantssuchasyucca,moonflower,eveningprimrose,fouro’clocks,Angel’strumpet,nightphlox,night-scentedstock,fragrantcolumbine,floweringtobacco,Augusthosta,andcitrondaylily.Oneveryfamiliarflowerthatreleasesitsfragranceatnightisthepetunia.
3Now,youandyourchildcanarrangetheplantsintheflowerbed.Putyuccaandtheothertallplantsinthecenterofabedsothatyoucanapproachfromallsides,orinthebackofabedthatisagainstawallorfence.
4Helpyourchildplanteverythingandwateritwell.5PlansomespecialtimestobeoutsideatnighttoobserveyourMoonGarden.Besuretoincludethenightofthefullmoon!
SensoryGarden
Wethinkofgardeningasnourishmentforoureyesandoursenseofsmell,butwedonotalwaysthinkoftheothersenseswhenweareplanningagarden.
wedonotalwaysthinkoftheothersenseswhenweareplanningagarden.
WhatYou’llNeed
alargegardenplot(6’x6’)avarietyofplants(see“WhattoDo”)cardstockclearcontactpapergardenstakesshovelortrowel
WhattoDo
1Youandyourchildshouldprepareyourgardenarea,asdescribedin“Let’sMakeaGarden!”onpage10.
2Plantsomeofthefollowingplantsingroupstorepresentthefivesenses.Touch: Lambs Ear (silky), Silver Sage (wooly), and Teasel (spiny).These plants will create an area where your child can touch andexperiencevarioustextures.Taste:Nasturiums,peas,Swisschard,andallofthemintsaresafeplantsforachildtotasteandexplore.Smell: Honeysuckle, Lavender, Roses, peppermint, thyme, sage,chamomile,andLemonBalmallhavewonderfulscents.Sight:Giantsunflowers,Poppies,Zinnias,Marigolds,PurpleSage,andVerbenahavebrilliantcolorstocreateadazzlingvisualdisplay.Hearing: Rattlesnake Grass, Bamboo, and Love-in-a-Mist all producedistinctivesoundswhenbrushedupagainstorastheymoveinthewind.
3Usestonesorothernaturalmaterialstocreateapaththatwillguidevisitorsonawalkthroughthesensorygarden.Ifyouhavethespace,addalittlebenchorgardenchairattheendofthewalkwhereyoucanrestandcontemplateyourjourney.
4Usingcardstock,createanidentifyingsignforeachsensoryarea.Yourchildcanmakethesignsusingcrayonsormarkers.Coverthepaperonbothsideswithclearcontactpaperandpostthesignsongardenstakes.
5Encourageyourchildtoguidevisitorsthroughthegardenand
5Encourageyourchildtoguidevisitorsthroughthegardenanddemonstratehowtoexploreitwiththeirfivesenses.
AnotherThoughtAddbirdfeedersandlistenforbirdssinging.Notice thesmellofwetgrassandthefragranceofthedirtafteryouhavewateredthegarden.
InviteThesePlantstoTea
Ateapartyisawholedifferentexperienceifyouactuallygrowthe“tea.”
WhatYou’llNeed
plants of peppermint, spearmint, monarda (bee balm), anise hyssop,catnip,orlemonbalmshovelortrowelwater
WhattoDo
1Introduceyourchildtothewonderfultastesensationsofherbalteasgatheredrightfromthegarden.Plantteaherbssuchasanisehyssop(delicatelicoriceflavor),catnip(slightlymintytaste),lemonbalm(likelemondropcandy),andmonardaorbeebalm(alsocalledOswegotea,reminiscentofEarlGreytea).Therearealsoseveralintriguingflavorsofmint:peppermint,spearmint,pineapplemint,applemint,andevenchocolatemint.Alltheseplantsgroweasilyandrequireverylittleattention.
2Beawarethatmanyherbsspreadrapidlybyundergroundrootsorreseedfreely.Tokeeptheminline,eitherplantthemattheedgeofyourgardenwhereitwillbeeasiertothinthemoutwithoutdisturbingtheotherplants,orhelpyourchildplanttheminpotsandkeepthemonthepatio.Usenopesticidesorherbicides.Youmaywanttoplantthemclosetoyourbackdoororkeepthepotsonyourbacksteps.Thatway,theywillalwaysbehandyfornippingoffafewleavesforaquickcupoftea.
3Showyourchildhowtostripafewleavesoffaselectedplant,puttheminacup,andwatchasyoupourboilingwateroverthem.Letyourchild
acup,andwatchasyoupourboilingwateroverthem.Letyourchildplaceasauceroverthecupasitsteepsforafewminutes.Swirlinabitofhoneyorsipitplain.Delicious!
4Tokeepyouricedherbteasfromgettingdiluted,makeicecubesfromthetea.Teachyourchildhowtopourcooledherbteabrewintoicecubetrays.
HerbGardenforCooking
Ifyourchildtendsafewherbsinasmallgardennearyourkitchendoor,youwillbecreatingasimpleandsatisfyingconnectionbetweenthegardenandthefood
weeat.
WhatYou’llNeed
asunnyspotoutdoors,easilyaccessibleavarietyofherbplants,suchasoregano,thyme,basil,parsley,mint,andlemonbalm
WhattoDo
1Gowithyourchildtoanurseryorgardencenterandselectavarietyofsmallherbplants.
2Encouragehertorubtheleavesofeachplantverygently.Encouragehertodescribeeachfragranceandthinkaboutwhatitremindsherof.Shewillprobablyidentifythemintwithtoothpasteorgum,theoreganowithpizza,andthelemonbalmwithlemonade.
3Helphertransplanttheplantsintoasunnycornerofyouryard.Mostherbsrequireminimalcareandwillgrowinalmostanysunnylocation.Manyofthemgrowbackyearafteryear,andthemoreyoupick,themoretheygrow!
4Forcooking,youcanuseherbseitherfreshordried.Askyourchildtopicksomeoregano,someparsley,andsomebasilthenexttimeyouaremakingspaghettisauce.Addasprigofminttoaglassoflemonade.Growingherbsoffersasatisfyingentrypointintounderstandingwhereourfoodcomesfrom.
GrowYourOwnPizza
Apizzagardenoragardenpizza—eitherway,youandyourchildwilllovethisidea.
WhatYou’llNeed
agardenplotinfullsun,about4’by4’gardeningtoolsstakeandstringtwo small plants of each of the following: onions, tomatoes, mildpeppers,parsley,oregano,andsweetbasil
ABooktoShare
Grow Your Own Pizza: Gardening Plans and Recipes for Kids byConstanceHardesty
WhattoDo
1Preparethegardenplot,asdescribedin“Let’sMakeaGarden!”onpage10.Addcomposttoenrichthesoil.(Asyoureadthroughthedirectionsbelow,youwillseethatyoucould“GrowYourOwnPizza”inthewadingpoolof“GardeninaWadingPool,”onpage29.)
2Tiea2’lengthofstringtoastake,andtieasmallersticktotheotherend.3Putthestakeinthecenteroftheplotandshowyourchildhowtodragthesmallerstickallthewayaroundtomarkoutacircle,4’indiameter.
4Dividethecircularplotintosixequalwedges,oneforeachingredient.5Helpyourchildplanttheingredientsinthedifferent“slices.”6Now,youandyourchildcantendtheplantsandeventuallyharvestthem.7Useyourhome-grownpizzaingredientswithcrustandcheesetoproduceatrulyhome-grownpizza.
Chapter4
TakingCareofYourGarden
GardenMarkers
Tokeeptrackofwhatisgrowing,childrendesignandconstructgardenrowmarkersfrompainters’stirsticksandcardboardaswellasprotectiveplasticcovers.Eachrowwillbelabeledwithacustom-designedpictureandnameto
identifywhatisgrowing.
WhatYou’llNeed
one of each of the following for each row: cardboard squares, 2 permarker,cuttofitinsidethebaggies,painters’woodenstirsticks,zip-toppint-sizedbaggiesgluepermanentmarkersstapler
WhattoDoYourchildcandoeverystep,withsupervisionandhelpasneeded.
1Countoutonewoodenpainters’stirstickforeachgardenrowthatyouwishtolabel.Next,countouttwocardboardsquaresandonezip-topbaggieforeachstick.Spreadtheseoutontheworkspace.
2Onecardboardsquarewillbethefrontandonewillbetheback.Onthefrontcardboardsquare,drawapictureofthevegetableyouwishtolabel.Isitcarrots,tomatoes,beans,orokra?Drawthatvegetablewithpermanentmarkers.Youmayalsowritethenameoftheplantinboldletters.Ifyouwish,dothesamefortheothercardboardsquarethatwillbethebackofthelabel,butthisisnotrequired.
bethebackofthelabel,butthisisnotrequired.3Placethebacklabel(designsidedownifany)ontheworkspace.Squirtathicklineofglueinthecenterofthecardboardfromthetoptothebottom.Laythewoodenstickontheglue.Drawanotherlineofglueonthestick,andplacethedecoratedcardboard(designsideup)onthestick.Thestickisnowsandwichedbetweenthetwopiecesofcardboard.Letthegluedry,andcontinuemakingasmanylabelsasyouneed.Letallofthemdryovernight.
4Slipthecardboardendofthelabelintothezip-topbaggie.Closethezipperrightuptobothsidesofthestick.Staplethezipperclosedsoitwillnotcomeunzipped.Dothisforallthelabels.
5Ifyouwish,usepermanentmarkerstodrawdesignsonthesticks,too.6Takeallthecompletedmarkerstothegardenandpushthesticksfirmlyintothesoilattheendofeachgardenrow.
Weeding
Weedingisanimportantpartofthegardeningroutine.Ifyouworkalongsideyourchild,youwillfinditjustasmuchfunasplantingandwatering.Your
attitudeisthekey.
WhatYou’llNeed
bucketgardeninggloves(optional)trowel
WhattoDo
1Takeagardentourwithyourchild,observingandtalkingaboutthedifferentplantsandpointingoutthedifferencesbetweenthegardenplantsandtheweeds.Explainthatweedsarejustplantsgrowinginthewrongplace!Theyarevaluableforsupplyingbirdsandinsectswithfoodandshelter,buttheytakewater,sunlight,andnutrientsfromthegardenplants,sotheyhavetoberemovedfromthegarden.
2Afterthetour,itistimeforsomepractice.Haveyourchildshadowyouthefirstfewtimesandcontinuetohelphimdistinguishtheweedsfromthegardenplants.Thiscanbedifficultwhentheplantsarejustcomingup,butitgetsmucheasierastheplantsmature.
3Tosstheweedsintoabucketasyouwork.Whenyouarefinished,yourchildshouldputthemintothecompost(seepage48),astheyhavegoodnutrientstogivebacktothesoil.Besure,however,thatyouarenotputtingseedheadsinthecompost,ortheywillcontinuetogrow(likeweeds!).Thisisonereasontoweedoften.Ifyoupulltheweedswhentheyaresmall,theydonothaveachancetoproduceseeds.
AnotherThoughtIttakesattentionandpracticetotellweedsfromseedlings.Giveyourchildlotsof encouragement and support, and make this whole activity an enjoyablechallenge.Itisagoodjobforthemorning,wheneveryoneisfreshandtheearthiscoolandmoist.
MakingCompost(theTraditionalWay)
Thismaysoundalittletechnicalatfirst,butdonotallowyourselftobedaunted.Readallthewaythrough.Theprocessissimpleandtheresultsaretruly“black
gold”forthegarden.
gold”forthegarden.
WhatYou’llNeed
blackplasticenoughdryandwetherbicide-freematerialstostartacompostpile(see“WhattoDo”)pitchforkstoneswater
Asimplealternative:
Byfar theeasiestwaytocompost is to let itmakeitself.Youcanburyyourkitchenscraps(nomeatordairy)atleastafootdeepinanunusedpartofyourgarden.Dothisdailyorweeklyinside-by-sidesections,andbynextyear,thatpartofthegardenwillbefertileandreadytoplant.
WhattoDo
1Selectanappropriatesunnyspotforyourcompostpile,closetoyourgarden.Ifyouwanttohideitfromview,buyorbuildascreen—lattice,thisisaneasymaterialtouseforthis.
2Startwithalayerofdrymaterialssuchasdryleaves.Letyourchildplayinthemfirsttobreakuplargepieces.Ontopofthis,placealayeroffreshhorseorcowmanureifyoucangetiteasily(farmsandridingstablesmaygivethistoyoufree),thenalayerofdirt.Keepalternatinglayersofdryandwetingredients(sawdust,freshgrassclippings,straw,kitchenscraps(donotuseanymeatordairyscraps),leavesandstemsofweeds,crushedeggshells,usedstablebedding)untilyourpileisabout4’high.Itwillshrinkdownasit“cooks.”
3Yourchildcancollectandaddmaterials.Shecanbeinchargeofscrapingfoodscrapsintoacontainertotakeouttothecompostpileattheendofeveryday.
4Waterthewholepileasyourchildholdsontothehoseorwateringcanwithyou.
5Coverthepilewithblackplastic,weighteddownwithafewheavystones,
5Coverthepilewithblackplastic,weighteddownwithafewheavystones,tostartthecookingaction.
6Whensteamrisesfromyourpile,itisreadytoturn.Usingapitchfork,turnthepileupsidedown,mixingitwell.Asyourchildwatchesorholdsontothepitchforkhandlewithyou,pointouttheheatandthewhitepatchesthatshowthecompostisworkingtobecomesoilthatwillfeedthegarden.
7Waterthepileagainifitseemsdry,andreplacethecovering.Turnthepileeveryweek,andsoonyouwillhaveanearthy-smelling,nutrient-densecompost.
RolyPolyComposter
Hereisahigh-energywaytoapproachtheideaofmakingcompost.
WhatYou’llNeed
a½“woodbitafewbricksbrownmaterials,suchasleaves,sticks,shreddednewspaper,cardboardbungeecorddrillgreenmaterials,suchasfruitandvegetablescraps,grassclippings,usedcoffeegrounds,eggshellsplastictrashcan,withlidsafetyglasses
BookstoShare
Composting:Nature’sRecyclersbyRobinKoontz
CompostStewbyMaryMcKennaSiddals
WhattoDo
1Drillholesalloverthesidesandbottomofaplastictrashcan(yourchildmaybeabletodothiswithassistancefromyou).
2Placeequalamountsofgreenandbrownmaterialinsidethecan.Greenmaterialsincludefruitandvegetablescraps,grassclippings,usedcoffeegrounds,andeggshells.Brownmaterialsincludeleaves,sticks,shreddednewspaper,andcardboard.
3Addasmallamountofwatertothecan(enoughtomakethematerialsmoistbutnotsoggy).
4Then,putthelidontopandsecureitwithabungeecord.5Laythecanonitsside,andaskyourchildtorollitaroundtheyardseveraltimestomixeverythingup.Shewilllovethisstep!
6Onceeverythingiswellmixed,setthecanontopofafewbricks(toallowairtomoveunderneaththecan),andyourcomposterisreadyforaction.
7Keepaddingcompostablematerials,keepthemdamp,andgiveyourchildthejobofrollingthecomposteraroundtheyardeveryfewdays(goodlucktryingtostopher!),andyou’llhaveloadsofrichsoiltoaddtoyourgarden.
CompostTeaParties
Forasurprisingchange,serveteatoyourgarden.
WhatYou’llNeed
bucketofwatercheeseclothorotherlooselywovenclothchild-sizeteapot,oldteakettle,wateringcan,orsqueezebottlehome-growncompost(yourownorfromafriend)string
WhattoDo
1Lookat“MakingCompost(theTraditionalWay)”and“RolyPoly
1Lookat“MakingCompost(theTraditionalWay)”and“RolyPolyComposter”onpages48and49.Ifyouhaveyourowncomposttouse,thisactivitywillbeevenmoresatisfying.
2Getachunkofcompost,bigenoughtofillyourchild’stwocuppedhands.Putthecompostonapieceofcheesecloth(oranyotherlooselywovencloth,likeanold-fashioneddiaper).Youwillbemakingagiantcompostteabag.
3Gatheruptheclothandtieittightlywithstrongstring.4Suspendthecompostteabagbythestringinabucketofwatersoitisnearthebottombutnotrestingonit.
5Afteraboutaweek,thecompostteashouldbewellbrewed.Takeouttheteabaganddecanttheteaintoateapotoranoldteakettle.
6Yourchildcannowservecupsofcompostteatotheplantsandflowers.7Ifyourchildisn’tintoteasets,asmallsqueezebottleorawateringcandoesthejobjustaswell.
8Besurethatanythingusedforcompostteaiswellwashedafterwards,preferablyinadishwasher.
HomemadeWormFarm
Wormsmoveandmixdirt.Theirburrowsmakethesoillooser,allowingairand
Wormsmoveandmixdirt.Theirburrowsmakethesoillooser,allowingairandwaterintonourishtheplantroots.Creatingawormfarmallowsyouandyour
childtoseesomeofthisinaction.
WhatYou’llNeed
a large round and clear container like the one a bakery cake comes in,withitsplatteramediumorsmallroundcontainerthatwillfitinsidethelargeoneametalskeweroraPhilipsscrewdriverblackconstructionpaperdryoatmealgardensoilsandshovelsmallcontainerwithaspraylidtapetrowelwaterworms(about25)
WhattoDoYourchildcanbeinvolvedinallofthesesteps,workingwithyou.
1Findaplaceinyouryardwhereyoucandigupsomerichdirtwithoutdisturbinganything.
2Visitabaitshopandpurchasesomeworms.Ifyoudon’twanttopurchaseworms,youcandigfortheminyouryard.Youwillneedabout25
worms,youcandigfortheminyouryard.Youwillneedabout25worms.
3Useaskewerorscrewdrivertopokesomeairholesinthecakeplatter.Thiswillbethelidforyourwormfarm.
4Putthesmallroundcontainerinthelargeroundcontainerandcenterit.5Carefullyfillthedoughnut-shapedareabetweenthetwocontainerswitha1”layerofmoistsoil.Holdthecentercontainerinplacesonodirtgetsunderit.Sprinkleateaspoonofdryoatmealonthesoil,thenadda½“layerofmoistsand.Continueinthiswaytoabout2”fromthetop,withthelastlayerbeingsoil.
6Addtheworms.Handlethemgently.Don’ttrytopushthemunderthesoil.They’llgoontheirowninjustalittlewhile.Gentlymisttheentireareawithwater.
7Putthelid(thecakeplatterwithholes)ontopofthewormfarm.Pressdowntocreateaseal,butbecautiousanddon’tharmtheworms.
8Tapeblackconstructionpaperaroundthewormfarmsoitwillbeniceanddark.Putyourwormfarminacool,shadyplace.Keepitcoolandkeepthesoilmoistbutnotwet.
9Everyfewdays,removethepaperandobservehowthewormsaremixingthesoilandthesandtogether.Addasmallsprinkleofoatmealeveryweek.
❿Youcankeepyourwormfarmfortwotothreeweeks,andthenyoushouldreleasethewormsintoyourgarden.
MakeaToadHouse
Invitetoadsintoyourgardenfornaturalpestcontrol.Toadseatinsects,slugs,andsnails—asmanyas10,000inasinglesummer!
WhatYou’llNeed
acrylicpaintspaintbrushsaucerofwatershovelsmallclayflowerpot
BookstoShare
FrogsandToadsandTadpoles,ToobyAllanFowlerToadbytheRoad:AYearintheLifeofTheseAmazingAmphibiansbyJoanneRyder
WhattoDo
1Inpreparation,talkwithyourchildabouthowtoadsliketoeatmanyoftheinsects,slugs,andsnailsthatdamagetheflowersandfoodsinyourgarden.(Seethesuggestedbooks.)Youmaybeabletopointoutsomeexamplesofinsectdamage.
2Discusswaysyoumightattracttoadstoyourgarden.Makingthemwelcomebyprovidingaspecialhouseisonewaytodothis.
3Setouttheflowerpotandthepaints.Inviteyourchildtodecoratetheflowerpotinanywayhewants.
4Oncethepotisdry,findashadyspotinyouryardanddigaholelargeenoughforthepottofitintoonitsside.
enoughforthepottofitintoonitsside.5Placethepotintheholeandburythebottomhalf(toadsliketoburrowintothemoistground).
6Collectafewleavesfromaroundtheyardandplacetheminsidethepottocreateacozybedforthetoad.
7Addasmallsaucerofwaternearbyforyourtoadtosipfrom,andyourtoadhouseismove-inready.
8Youcouldcreateawholevillageoftoadhouses!
BackyardBugHunt
Thisisanobservingandinformation-gatheringactivity.Youandyourchildwillexploreyourenvironmenttogetheranddevelopanincreasedappreciationforthe
lifethatsurroundsus.
WhatYou’llNeed
insectbooks(fieldguides,picturebooks,asappropriatetoyourchild)jarswithholesinthelidsmagnifyingglass
ABooktoShare
Insects:RevisedandUpdatedbyHerbertS.ZimandClarenceCottam
WhattoDo
1First,youwillwanttovisitthelibrarywithyourchildandcheckoutasmanybooksaboutinsectsandbugsasyoucanfind.Inaddition,youmaydecidetobuyasimplefieldguidetoinsects.
2Lookatthebookstogetherandtalkaboutinsectsandbugs.Somearehelpfultoourgardensandsomearenot.Rightnow,wearejustidentifyingthem.
3Now,headoutintotheyardwithyourcollectingjarsandyourcuriosity.Yourwholepurposehereistoobserveandtolearnabouttheinsectsthatshareyourenvironment.
4Encourageyourchildtosearchattentivelyandcollectthebugsshefinds,carefullyputtingthemintothejars.Besuresheunderstandsthatalllivingcreaturesneedairtosurvive,whichiswhythecollectingjarsneedholesinthetop.
5Oncecollected,examinetheinsectswithyourchild.Useamagnifyingglasstotakeacloserlookattheinsects.Helpherdescribeeachonewithattentiontodetails:thiswillhelpyoufindtheonesyoudonotrecognizeinthefieldguide.
6Releasetheinsectsbackintotheirhabitat.Themoreyouandyourchildlearnaboutthecreaturesthatliveherewithusontheearth,thericheryoursharedexperienceinthegardenwillbe.
HandpickingasNaturalPestControl
Someinsectsandbugsareharmfultoourgardens,andweneedtoremovethem
Someinsectsandbugsareharmfultoourgardens,andweneedtoremovethemforthegardentothrive.
WhatYou’llNeed
containerliquiddishsoaptweezers(optional)water
WhattoDo
1Buildingonthe“BackyardBugHunt”(page53),dosomeresearchontheharmfulbugsyouwanttotargetsothatyouandyourchildcanproperlyidentifythem.
2Putafewdropsofliquiddishsoapinanemptycontainer,suchasayogurtorcottagecheesecontainer.Addwatertomakeasoapysolution.
3Talkaboutremovingharmfulbugsfromthegardensotheflowersandvegetablescanthrive.
4Showyourchildthecontainerofsoapywater.Explainthatthesoapmakesthesurfaceofthewaterslipperysothebugswilldrownquickly.
5Goouttothegardenwithyourchildandchecktheplantsforbugsthatareeatingtheleaves.Somebugsthatareeasytohandpickareslugs,Japanesebeetles,andColoradopotatobugs.It’seveneasierintheearlymorningwhenthepestsmovemoreslowly.
6Oneatatime,pickortapthebugsoffanddropthemintothesoapywater.Besuretherearenoleavesfloatinginthewater;otherwise,thebugsmayclimbonthemandflyawaytochewonthegardenleaveslater.
7Ifyounoticemanybugschewingleavesononeparticulartypeofplant,showyourchildhowtocheckunderneaththeleavesfortinyeggs.Morebugswillhatchfromtheseeggsandgorighttoworkdestroyingmoreleaves.Youcanpicktheleafwiththeeggsattachedandstomponit,orrubtheeggsoffwithyourthumb.
8Whenyouarefinished,carefullydumpoutthesoapycontainerofdeadbugsandletyourchildstomponthemtobesurethepestsaredead.
AnotherThought
Yourstateorcountymayhaveacooperativeextensionservice.Someonetherewill be happy to help you identify leaf-munching bugs and may even haveliteratureandpicturesoftargetpests.
PlantingaNaturalMosquitoRepellent
Whatasurprise!Lemonbalmsmellswonderfultous,butmosquitoesflytheotherway.
WhatYou’llNeed
plantoflemonbalmshovelortrowelwater
WhattoDo
1Chooseaspotforthelemonbalmtogrow.Likemanyherbs,lemonbalmcanbecomeinvasive.Itspreadsbyundergroundrootsandwillreseedaswell.Giveitacornerofthegardenoryardwhereitcanspreadhappilywithoutpushingasideorshadingotherplants.
2Helpyourchildplantthelemonbalmanddemonstratehowtorubaleafbetweenyourfingerstoreleasethescent.
3Explainthatmosquitoesdon’tlikethesmellofthisplant.Crushingafewleavesoflemonbalmandrubbingthejuiceonyourskinwillkeepmostmosquitoesfrombitingforaboutanhour.
4Ifyourlemonbalmplantissmall,youmaywanttowaituntilitiswellestablishedbeforeshowingyourchildhowtousetheleavesasmosquitorepellent.Mostchildrenwillseekouttheplantontheirown,oncetheyexperiencehoweffectiveitis.Itshouldonlytakeaboutamonthforyourlemonbalmplanttoestablishitselfandbeabletohandlethestressofhavingsomeleavestornoff.
5Lemonbalmalsomakesdeliciousteathathelpsgetridoftensionheadachesandeasesoccasionalinsomnia.Crushafewleavesinacup,addboilingwater,andcoverthecupwithasaucertokeepinthesteamandtheoilfromtheleaves.Afterafewminutes,strainouttheleaves(or
andtheoilfromtheleaves.Afterafewminutes,strainouttheleaves(orleavetheminforextraflavor),swirlinaspoonfulofhoney,andsip.
BambooBeeAbode
Createahomeforthepeaceful,native,non-stingingbeescalled“masonbees.”Thesebeesareslightlysmallerthanhoneybees,andeachonevisitsupto1,000
bloomseveryday,makingthemincrediblepollinators.
WhatYou’llNeed
1or2bamboocanesabout¼“diameter (use freshones, ifyouhaveastand of bamboo in your yard, or use the ones sold as plant stakes ingardencenters,orseebelowforalternatives)brownpapermarkersorcrayonsplasticsleeve (thiscanbe thebagyournewspaperarrives in,orapageprotector)sawscissorstapetwine
ABooktoShare
TheBeeTreebyPatriciaPolacco
WhattoDo
1First,youneedtocutthebamboocanesinto6”to8”lengths.Youwillneedabout12pieces.(Adultsteponly).
2Now,youoryourchildshouldcutapieceofpaperthatwillfitinsidethe
2Now,youoryourchildshouldcutapieceofpaperthatwillfitinsidetheplasticsleeve,andyourchildcandecorateitwithcrayonsormarkers.
3Bundlethebamboocanestogether,andtiethemsecurelywiththetwine.4Putthedecoratedpaperinsidetheplasticsleeve,pressouttheexcessair,andtapetheendclosed.
5Wrapthis“beewrapper”aroundthebundle,andfastenitsecurely.Theplasticwrapperwillprotectthebeesfromrain.
6HangyourBeeAbodehorizontallyinawarm,sunnyspotnearyourgarden.Thefemalebeeswillfillthetubeswiththeireggs,nectar,andpollentofeedtheyoungbees.
AnotherThoughtIf you do not have bamboo, you canmake aBeeAbode frompaper drinkingstraws (plasticoneswillnotwork).Useabitofplaydough toplugoneendofeach straw, and proceed as above. Another possibility is to use a block ofseasonedwood.Drillholesinitwithalong¼“drillbit.Hangitsotheroundbee“doorways”areontheside.
HarvestingandSharingtheCrop
Makeharvestingyourcropintoanevent.Everyonewhohashelpedinthegardenshouldbeincludedinthecelebrationoftheharvest.
WhatYou’llNeed
containers,bothsmallandlargegardenhosegardeningtoolsasneeded(possiblyclippersandtrowels)
WhattoDo
1Thisactivityneedsverylittledescription.Asyourgardenbeginstoproduce,youandyourchild(andanyothergardenhelpers)willhavethepleasureofgatheringintheharvest.Gooutinthemorningtopickwhatyouneedfortheday;orgooutrightbeforemealtimetogathersaladgreens,peas,orherbsforthemeal.
2Usecontainersthatareeasyforlittlehandstoholdandcarry.3Usethegardenhoseoralargebucketofwatertowashtheproducebeforeyoubringitindoors.Thiswashingcanbeasmuchfunforthechildrenasthepickingitself!
4Often,youwillhavemoreofacertainvegetablethanyoucanuse.Thisisanopportunityforgenerosity.Talkwithyourchildaboutpeoplewhomightneedfood.Doyouhaveaneighborwhofindsithardtogetoutandshop?Doyouhaveafoodpantryorsoupkitchennearby?Takeadvantageofthesepreciousopportunities.
5Anotherwayforyouandyourchildtoshareyourgardenproduceisbycookingtogether.Considergiftsofhomemadetomatosauce,zucchinibread,orcarrotcake.Youwillthinkofmanyotherpossibilities.
Chapter5
JustforFun
SeedPacketPuzzles
Simplepuzzlesuseseedpacketsandanyextraseeds.
WhatYou’llNeed
4”×6”indexcardsavarietyofseedpackageschild-safescissorswhiteglue
WhattoDoYourchildcandoallofthesesteps,withsupervision.
1Removetheseedsfromoneofthepackagesandglueafewseedsontooneendofanindexcard.
2Gluethecoveroftheseedpackagetotheotherendoftheindexcard.3Repeatforeachtypeofseedandseedpackage.4Aftertheglueisdry,cuttheseedendandthepictureendofeachcardapartinadistinctivepatterntocreateasetofsimpletwo-piecejig-sawpuzzlesthatwillhelpyouandyourchildlearntorecognizeseeds.
5Foranevensimplervariation,saveyourseedpacketsandgluethepicturestoindexcards.Whentheglueisdry,cuteachofthecardsintotwoorthreepieces.Nowyouhavesimplepicture-matchingpuzzles.
MyOwnBeanstalk
Bringaveryfamiliarstorytolife.
WhatYou’llNeed
asmallhandfulofgravelasmallpieceofcurvedplastic,cutfromadelicontainerasmallpotforplanting(3”—6”indiameter)athingardenstakecut12”—15”longclearcontactpapercrayonsormarkersgreenbeanseedsindexcards,orheavypapercutintosquarespottingsoiltapethestoryof“JackandtheBeanstalk”
WhattoDo
1Readortellyourchildthestoryof“JackandtheBeanstalk.”Shakeafewbeanseedsoutofthepacketandtalkaboutplantingyourown“magicseeds.”
2Giveyourchildasmallpot.Helphercoverthedrainageholewiththesmallpieceofcurvedplastic,thenputahandfulofgravelonthebottomofthepot.Thiswillkeepthesoilfromwashingoutwhenyouwaterthebeanstalkbutwillalsoallowfordrainage.
3Askhertofillherpot¾fullwithpottingsoil.Nowshecanuseherfingerstomakethreesmallholes,placeoneseedineachhole,andcoverthemwithmoresoil.Waterthoroughly.
4Ononeindexcard,yourchildcandrawapictureofJack,andonanothercard,apictureofthecastle.Cutthemout,ifyouwant.
card,apictureofthecastle.Cutthemout,ifyouwant.5Coverthefrontandbackofthecardswithclearcontactpaper.6HelpyourchildtapeherpictureofJackabout4”fromthebottomofthestakeandtapethepictureofthecastletothetop.
7Putthegardenstakeintothepot.8Keepthesoilmoistbutnotsoakingwet.Asthevinesgrow,wrapthemaroundthegardenstaketoencouragethemtoclimb.
AllFiveSensesintheGarden
Everynowandthen,itisgoodtostopandpaycloseattention.Thinklikeananimal,withsharpearsandakeensenseofsmell.Whatwoulditbeliketobeadoginthegarden?Whatwouldyounotice?Supposeyouwereatinyspider?
Whatwouldyousee?
WhatYou’llNeed
agarden
WhattoDo
1Havesomeconversationswithyourchildabouthowwenoticethingsandlearnthingsusingallfiveofoursenses,notjustoneortwo.
2Createanoutingtoagarden.Thiscanbeyourowngarden,acommunitygarden,arosegardeninapark,anarboretum,acommercialpick-your-ownorchardorgarden,orevenagardencenter.
3Whenyouarrive,bothofyoushouldstandverystillandlookaroundyouverycarefully.Afteraboutaminute,encourageyourchildtodescribewhathesees,usingcolorwordsanddescriptivevocabulary.Tellhimwhatyounoticed,too.Makethisaconversation.
4Onceagain,standverystill—butthistimebevery,veryquiet.Concentrateonlistening.Afteraboutaminute,talkaboutwhatyouheard.Youmaywanttorepeatthisoncemore,asquietlisteningissometimeshardforusthefirsttime.
5Inviteyourchildgentlytotouchtheleaves,flowers,andfruitanddescribethevarioustextures,suchassmooth,rough,prickly,fuzzy,orsticky.
6Now,encourageyourchildtosmelltheflowersandplantsanddescribewhichonesaresweet,sour,orfunny-smelling.Whatelsecanyousmellinthegarden?Doyounoticethesmellofwetdirt?Newlymowngrass?Wesometimesforgetaboutoursenseofsmellasawaytolearnaboutourenvironment.
7Ifappropriate,inviteyourchildtopickafruitorvegetable,supervisingclosely.Afterhewashesandtasteshisfood,talkaboutthetaste.Isitsweet?Sour?Alittleofboth?Isthereanyotherwaytodescribetheflavor?
MyGreen-HairedFriends
Thisgivesyouandyourchildachancetowatchgrassgrowandtohavesomelaughterandstorytellingfunintheprocess.
WhatYou’llNeed
craftsticksortonguedepressorseasy-growinggrassseed(ryeisagoodchoice)markersnewspaper,ifyouareworkingindoorspaperorfoamcups(forextrafun,usecupsofvaryingsizes)pottingsoilwaterwateringcanorsmallpitcher
ABooktoShare
WhattoDo
1Thisisagoodoutdooractivity.Ifyoudoitindoors,covertheworkareawithnewspaper.
2Giveyourchildafewpaperorfoamcups.Poketwoorthreeholesinthebottomofeachonewithapencil.Now,hecanusethemarkerstodrawfacesonthecups.Ifyouhavecupsofdifferentsizes,thiscouldbeagreen-hairedfamily!
3Putanextracupnexttothepottingsoiltouseasascoop.Yourchildshouldfilleachcupwithdirttoabout½“fromthetop.
4Showhimhowtosprinklegrassseedontothesoil.5Covertheseedslightlybysprinklingsoilontopofthemwithyourfingers.
6Waterthecupswithaslowstreamofwaterfromawateringcantodampenthesoil.
7Askyourchildifhewantstonamehiscupcharacters.Ifhedoes,youcanusethecraftstickstolabelthemwiththeirnames.
8Putthecupsinasunnyspot,keepthemdamp,andchecktheprogressoftheseedsdaily.
theseedsdaily.9Prettysoon,yourgreen-hairedfriendswillneedfancyhaircuts.
PlantaGift
Plantsmakewelcomegifts,foranyoccasionorfornooccasionatall.Decoratingaspecialpotaddsaloving,personaltouchtothegift.
WhatYou’llNeed
afewhandfulsofgravel(easytobuyinplantshopsandwithaquariumsupplies)acrylicpaintsclayflowerpots,about4”across,andsaucerstofit
clearresinspray(foundathobbystores)flowerseedsorsmallfloweringplantsmoistpottingsoilnewspapersmallpaintbrushessmallpiecesofcurvedplastic,cutfromdelicontainerswater,forwashingbrushesandwateringtheplants
WhattoDo
1Setupyourworkspace,coveringthesurfaceswithnewspapertoprotectthem.
2Setouttheclayflowerpotsandsaucersandthepaintingsupplies.3Haveyourchildplaceherpotsupsidedownonthenewspaperandpaintdesignsonthem.(It’snicetowritethedateonthebottom.)
4Leavethepotsonthenewspaperandallowthemtodrythoroughly.5Whenthepaintisdry,spraythemgenerouslywithclearresinspray(adultonlystep).Letthemdryovernight.
6Whentheyarecompletelydry(noteventacky),helpyourchildcoverthedrainageholewithapieceofcurvedplasticandaddasmallhandfulofgraveltothebottomofthepot.Thiswillkeepthesoilfromwashingoutbutalsoallowforgooddrainage.Fillthepotswithpottingsoiltowithin½“ofthetop,andplacethesaucersundereachpot.
7Helpyourchild,asneeded,toplanteithertheseedsorsmallflowersandwaterthoroughly.(Youmightlookat“PropagateaGeranium,”onpage27,and“MemoryGarden,”onpage38.)
8Placethepotsinawarm,sunnywindowuntiltheyarereadytogiveasgifts.
SpiderWebSweetPeas
Thegardenpeapatchwillresembleafairyglenwithfragrantsweetpeas
Thegardenpeapatchwillresembleafairyglenwithfragrantsweetpeasclimbingthroughaspiderweboftwine.Beforeplantingsweetpeas(orsnap
peas),weaveheavytwinebetweentwogardenpolesinaspiderwebdesign.Thewebwillbeabasefortheclimbingvines.
WhatYou’llNeed
2bamboopoles,about6’tallasunnygardenarea,atleast4’wideheavytwinescissorsorgardenshearsspadeorshovel,trowelsweetpeaseeds(orsnappeaseedsorsmallplants)water,sun,andtimetogrow
WhattoDo
1Youwillneedtohelpyourchildpreparethebamboopolesandbeginmakingthetwinespiderweb.Todothis,laythetwopolesflatonthegrass,about3’apart.Tiethemtogetherintwoplaces,firstatthetopsofthepoles,andthenaboutafootfromthebottoms.(Leaveabout1’ofpoleclearatthebottomsothepolescanbepushedintothegardensoil.)
2Next,makeanXwithtwine:tiealongpiecefromthetopleftcornertothebottomrightcorner,andthenrepeattyingtwinefromthetoprighttothebottomleft,crossingoverinthemiddle.Tiethetwineinthemiddlewithaboworknot.
3Withlongpiecesofheavytwine,begintyingtwinestrandstoformaweblook.Itdoesnothavetobeperfectinspacingordesign—arandomwebdesignismoremagicalandspider-like.
4Whenthewebiscomplete,youandyourchild,workingtogether,canstandthetwopolesuprightandcarrythemcarefullytothegardenareawherethepeaswillbeplanted.Pusheachpoleintothegardensoilalittleatatimeuntilbothpolesareabout6”toafootdeepinthedirtandstandingstrong.Thewebwillbespreadbetweenthetwopoles.
standingstrong.Thewebwillbespreadbetweenthetwopoles.5Plantsweetpeaseedsorsnappeaseedsasdirectedonthepackage,ordigholesandplantsmallplants.Plantalongthebaseofthewebbetweenthepoles.Water,sunshine,andwaiting!Thepeavineswilltwinetheirwaythroughtheweb,workingtheirwayintotheweavingandcreatingamagicalwebofflowersandgreenery.
MiniatureGarden
Thisisanideawithspecialappealtochildrenwholiketocreatestorieswithsmallfiguresandanimals.Itisallaboutimaginationandfun.Buildingaliving,
outdoorsettingforplaycanbeendlesslyabsorbing.
WhatYou’llNeed
rocks,sticks,moss,sand,woodchips(asdesired)shade-lovingplantsshallowplasticbowl
small,shadygardenspot(about3’x3’)toyfiguresandanimalstrowel, old spoons, old forks (anything that canbeused as aminiaturetool)
WhattoDoYourchild’simaginationistheguidehere.Therearenorules.
1Findtheperfectspotforyourminiaturegarden.Marktheedgeswithasmallwallmadeofrocksorsticks.
2Makepathsandroadsthroughyourgardenwithsmallrocks,sand,andwoodchips,orsimplysmooththedirtwithyourhandsandrakeitwithafork.
3Buildsomeminiaturelogcabinsbystackingstickstogether.Covertheroofswithmoss.Usealittlewhiteglue,ifneeded.
4Addsomeshade-lovingplantssuchasimpatiens,coleus,andviolas.5Digasmallholeandputashallowplasticbowlintoit.Fillthebowlwithwaterforapond.
6Enjoyimaginaryplayinyourminiaturegardenusingthetoyanimalsandfigurines.
GardenStoneArrangements
Collectandsavestonesofallsizestomakeuniquearrangementsthroughoutthegarden.Createpathways,borders,orsimplyaddcolor,design,andshape
anywhereatall.
WhatYou’llNeed
gardenoldtowelrakerocks,stones,gravel,pebblesscrubbrush
trowelorspadetuborbucketforwater
WhattoDoYourchildcanbeinvolvedateverystageofthisopen-endedactivity.
1Collectandsaverocksofallkinds.Ariverorbeachisagreatplacetofindrocks,stones,andpebbles.Digginginthegardenwillrevealrocksofallsizes.Wheneveryouseearockyoulike,pickitupandsaveit.Itmaytakeawhiletocollectenoughrocksforyourgarden,buthowevermanyyouhave,therewillbesomethingyoucandowiththemthatmakesthegardenmorebeautiful.
2Gettherocksready.Puttheminatubofwaterandscrubwithabrushuntilclean.Drytheminthesun,orpatthemdrywithanoldtowel.Spreadtherocksoutonanoldtowel,tarp,oronthegrasstoseewhatyouhave.
3Now,lookatthegardenwiththeeyeofanartistandstarttomakeplans.Thinkaboutwhatyoucandowiththerocksyouhavecollected.Decidewhatyoulikebestandbegin!
4Someideasfordecoratingthegardenwithrocks:TowerStack:Stackthreeormorerocksinatower.Beginwithalargeflat rock, and then place a slightly smaller rock on top of the first, a
smallerrockontopofthesecond,thenathird,andsoon.Trytobalancetherockstomakeatower.Border: Line the gardenwith rocks to create a border that defines theedges. Borders may also be made around individual plants to makesectionsinthegarden.Abordercanalsodefineapathway.StonePath:Smallstones,pebbles,andgravelcanformasmallpathwayin the gardenwhen placed by hand, or a larger pathwaywhen pouredfromabucketorshoveledfromthewheelbarrow.ArtStones:Findanareaofthegardenthatisbare,andplacestonesinanydesignyouwish.Aspiral,circleor“pie”shapecanmakeagardenlookmoreinteresting.Fillinwithsmallerpebbles,gravel,orsandtogivecolorandtexture.
BeanPoleTeepee
Thegardenbeanpatchwillbecomeasecludedspaceforyourchildandherfriendstoreadanddream.Beforeplantingbeans,weavethebeanpoleswithribbons,yarn,twine,andstring.Afterthebeansgrowtall,spreadaquiltinside
thegreenery,crawlin,read,andimagine.
WhatYou’llNeed
asunnygardenareaatleast5’indiameterbeanseedsorsmallbeanplantscollectionofweavingmaterials,suchasyarn,twine,ribbons,surveyor’splastic,string,ortornstripsoffabricheavytwineoldblanketorquiltscissorsorgardenshearsspadeorshovel,trowel
stepladdertallbeanpoles(fourtoeightofthem);thesecanbewoodengardenpoles,bamboopoles,orotherchoices;12’longpolesworkwell
WhattoDo
1Anadultshouldpreparethebeanpolesinthegarden.Pusheachpoledeepintothegardensoil,arrangingtheminateepeefashion.Keepanopenspaceinthecenterabout5’indiameter.Wherethepolesmeetatthetop,wrapandtiethemtogethersecurelywithheavytwine.Yourchildcanhelpasappropriate.
2Now,yourchildandherfriendscanstartwrappingstrandsoftwinefromonepoletothenext.Besuretoleaveaspaceforthedoorwayopening.
3Keepaddingandwrappingweavingstrandsofallkinds,fillingtheareasbetweenthepoles.Encourageyourchildtoworkashighupasshecanreacheasily.Later,thebeanvineswilltakecareoftherestoftheundecoratedarea.
4Atthebaseofeachpole,plantbeanseedsasdirected
onthepackage,ordigholesandplantsmallbeanplants.5Water,sunshine,andwaiting!Beanvineswillgrowdaybyday,twiningtheirwayupthepolesandworkingtheirwayintothechildren’sweaving.
6Whenthevineshavereachedthetopoftheteepee,itistimetocelebrate!Placeanoldquiltorblanketinsidetheteepee.Bringbooksandasmallpicnic,ifyouwish.Childrencancrawlinsidethebeanpoleteepeetoenjoythegreenspace.Abeanpoleteepeeisarestfulplaceforanafternoonnap.Nibblingongreenbeansfreshfromthevineisallowed!
Index
A
Africanviolets,miniatureAmaryllisAngel’strumpetAnisehyssopAquariumrocks,useofsmallArugulaAsparagusfernsAsters
B
Bachelor’sbuttonBaggies,zip-topBambooBasilBeachumbrellaBeansBeanstalkBeebalmBeeplantBeesBerryboxesBlackconstructionpaperBlackplasticBlankets,oldBooksBeeTree,ThebyPatriciaPolaccoComposting:Nature’sRecyclersbyRobinKoontzCompostStewbyMaryMcKennaSiddals
CornisMaizebyAlikiEveningGarden:FlowersandFragrance fromDusk tillDawn,The byPeterLoewerFrogsandToadsandTadpoles,ToobyAllanFowlerGardenersAlphabet,AbyMaryAzarianGrowYourOwnPizza:GardeningPlansandRecipes forKids byConstanceHardestyHubert’sHairRaisingAdventurebyBillPeetHummingbirdGarden,ThebyChristineBakerWidmanInsects:RevisedandUpdatedbyHerbertS.ZimandClarenceCottam)OneBeanbyAnneRockwellSeedsbyKenRobbinsStoryofJohnnyAppleseed,ThebyAlikiToadbytheRoad:AYearintheLifeofTheseAmazingAmphibiansbyJoanneRyderVegetablesWeEat,ThebyGailGibbonsWhatKindofSeedsareThese?byHeidiBeeRoemerBorageBoxcutterBrownpaperBucketsBulbfoodBulbsAmaryllisSpringintheMiddleofWinterBungeecordsButterflybush(buddleia)
C
CardboardCardboardboxCardstockCarrotsCatnip
ChamomileChartpaperCheeseclothChrysanthemumsClippersColeusColumbineCompostmaking,traditionalwaymaterialsforrolypolyteausingConstructionpaper,blackContactpaperCookiesheetsCornCosmosCottonballsCraftsticksCrayonsCuttings,plantsfrom
D
DaisiesDaylily,citronDishes,useofshallowDishsoap,liquid
E
EggcartonsascontainersEnvelopes
Eveningprimrose
F
FertilizerFishbowls,useofFloweringtobaccoFlowerpotsFlowerssellingFlowers,typesofpurplethatattractbeesthatattractbutterfliesthatbloomatnightthatrepresentthefivesenseswhiteFoldingtableFouro’clocksFoxglove
G
GardenstakesGeraniums,propagatingGiftsGlasses,useoftallGloves,gardeningGlueGrassGrassseedGravelGreenbeansGreenhouse,howtomakea
Greenhouseeffect
H
HangingplantersHeliotropeHerbalteasHerbs,growingHoesHoneysuckleHostaHouseplants
I
IcecubetraysascontainersImpatiensIndexcardsInsectsIvy
J
Jars,useof
K
kidsgardening.com
L
Labels
creatingplantLamb’sEarLavenderLemonbalmLettuceLove-in-a-MistLupine
M
MagnifyingglassMarbles,useofMarigoldsMarkerspermanentMeasuringandkeepingtrackofgrowthMeasuringcupMintMoonflowerMorninggloryMosquitoesMossMulching
N
NarcissusbulbsNasturtiumNativeAmericansNewspapers,useofNight,flowersthatbloomatNight-scentedstock
O
OatmealOnionsOregano
P
Paint,acrylicPaintbrushesPainters’stirsticks.SeeStakesPapercupsPapertowelsParsleyPeasPeaseedsPebbles,useofsmallPeppermintPeppersPetuniasPhloxPitchforkPizzaPlanttagsPlasticblackbagscupspieces,useofcurvedsleevetableclothtrashcanwrapPoppiesPosterboard
PotsgeraniumsinherbsinseedlingsinPottingsoilPurpleplants,typesofPuzzles
Q
QueenAnne’sLace
R
RakeRattlesnakegrassResinsprayRibbonRocks,useofRosemaryRosesRuler
S
SafetyglassesSageSaladgreensSalviasSandSavingseedsSawScissors
Screwdriver,PhilipsScrubbrushSeedsorseedlings,usingdryinginamini-greenhouseinpotssavingSellingflowersShearsShovelsSilversageSkewer,metalSnapdragonSnappeasSpadesSpearmintSpinachSpongesSpoonsSquashStakesStaplerStepladderSticks,assupportsStonesforcompostpileStraws,drinkingStringSugarwaterSunflowersSweetpeasSweetpotatoSweetWilliamSwisschard
T
Tags,plantTapeTeascompostherbalTeaselThinningseedlingsThymeToadsTomatoesTonguedepressorsToothpicksTopsoil,usingToyfiguresandanimalsTrays,useofTrowelsTweezersTwine
V
VerbenaViburnumViolas
W
WadingpoolWater,sugarWeedingWheelbarrowWhiteplants,typesof
WoodchipsWormfarm,creatingaWorms
Y
YardstickYarrowYucca
Z
Zinnias
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataThebuddinggardener/editedbyMaryB.Rein.
p.cm.eISBN:978-0-87659376-9
1.Gardening—Juvenileliterature.I.Rein,MaryB.SB457.B732011
635—dc222010045539
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