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

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