Small Memories

One of the earliest memories many grownups have is growing things as a child. Whether it was in a backyard garden or in a pot on a sunny windowsill, the feeling of accomplishment was the same.

As a child, I can remember helping my mother in the Spring with her flowerbeds. I had my own rake, hoe, and shovel. Boy, did I ever feel grown up! Later, when I was old enough to go to school, we grew things in small cups on the windowsills. Sometimes these window plants were given for Mother’s Day and sometimes we just took them home at the end of the school year.

Gardening and growing things is a great way to create memories for your family. It’s also a super way to elevate a child’s self esteem! I encourage you to grow something with your child this Spring. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Tools Needed - Children need their own sets of tools. This helps give them confidence. When children have kid-sized tools, it is easier for them to manipulate the tools, and you don’t have to go looking for your tools if a child forgets to put them up. You might want to consider getting these pint sized tools for your child: a hoe, rake, shovel, gloves, watering can, etc.

Choosing plants - It’s best to start children out with low maintenance, fast growing, and adaptable seeds or plants. The best plants for children to grow are radishes, sunflowers, marigolds, petunias, strawberries, chives, cherry tomatoes, and even a pumpkin or squash plant, etc. Don’t forget to get some flowers and plants the birds and butterflies will enjoy too!

Choosing a place to plant - Children need a small place to plant so that they don’t get overwhelmed. You can plant in a large flower pot, a small flower bed, a plastic cup, or a small corner of a backyard garden. The key is that it needs to be a small place that gets enough sunshine and has enough space for the plants you choose.

To help the family and children get the most out of this experience, grab this special bag for all of the children’s tools:

Kids Garden Kit with Mini Trowel, Hoe, Rake, 2 Pots, Spray Bottle, Sunflower Seeds, Gloves and Bag

Happy Gardening!

Plant A Perennial Garden
By Mary Hanna

If you want a garden that will reappear year after year plant a Perennial Garden. There are many plants that need to be grown from transplants or from seed every year but perennial gardens will come back faithfully if you treat them right. Some of the perennials include caladium, aloe, iris, yucca and tulips. A great example of a hardy perennial is the yucca which grows in the desert with no care, yet they grow, even thrive.

Don’t take that as if perennials will need no work or care. If you want to enjoy your perennial garden you will have to provide some care and maintenance. I don’t know of any garden you can plant and forget. Even if you have chosen plants that can withstand some neglect you will still need to tend to it from time to time. This is a good tip to keep in mind when choosing your plants.

Any garden, perennial or otherwise, will need some research and a plan. You need to know the requirements of each plant; how much sun, how much water, and the PH of the soil. After you have figured out their needs you will be able to find the ideal spot for your perennial garden. You must know what planting zone you live in so you can choose wisely. Pick plants that are proportional to the garden. Keep their sizes and watering needs similar. It would be disastrous to plant a perennial that needs moist soil next to one that likes a dry atmosphere. You should be able to get your questions answered at your nursery center or on the internet. There are many garden clubs on the internet so think about joining one that is all about perennials. You can use lots of color in your perennial garden but try to keep them in complimentary hues.

Do lots of research on any pests that will attack your perennial garden. Here again, the internet is a font of information. Go to a search engine, type in the name of your plants and add pests. You will find all the information that you need. For instance, squirrels love to dig up bulbs and eat them. You can eliminate the problem by placing chicken wire over the planted wire so the squirrels can’t get to them.

Be sure to consider the growing season of each individual plant. Some flower in early spring, some in summer and some in the fall. With a good plan a gardener can have blooms all through the growing seasons. Careful planning will ensure beautiful, colorful perennial gardens through the year.

The hardest year for your perennial garden will be the first year and will be the least attractive. Understand that these plants are just taking root and settling in to their new spot. In year two, the plants will start to show you what is come. At this time you may wish to move a few of the plants or add and detract some. The basic “bones” of your garden is starting to show and this is the time for rearranging to make it more pleasing to the eye. Now you arrive at year three and you will reap the rewards of your labor and care. Your friends and neighbors will marvel at your skills as a gardener. You can make some changes in the third year but not too many or you will have to wait another three years for a beautiful perennial garden.

Take some time to enjoy your garden while sitting outside in your yard. Cut some of the blooms to take inside so you can enjoy them in your home. Your perennial garden was created out of love and planning. Now is the time to relax and enjoy your handiwork.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips, Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

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I love wildflower gardening as well as gardening for the wildlife in the area. One of my favorite things is to tend to my butterfly and hummingbird gardens, which have quite a few perennials. To help you start a family gardening project, I have found the perfect seeds to help you get started. Just click on the graphic below to get more info at our Family Favorites Shop. ~ Kit