by Peggy Lindgren

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: August 03, 2009

Gardening is a fabulous family project. Kids love working side by side with the parent and this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the joys of gardening. Together you will watch that tiny little seed, sprout into a brilliant, fragrant flower. By following a few garden tips, your children will learn to appreciate the great outdoors and develop a pride in their own garden creations.

*WINTER

You may be wondering; what does winter have to do with gardening? It is a perfect time to prepare for the spring/summer gardens. We can have great fun planning and anticipating the type of flowers to plant and what vegetables we may want to experience with this summer. It may seem like months until you put on flip-flops and hear the songbirds but this will put you in the right frame of mind for those warm, sunny days.

Egg cartons are great for planting seeds. Some seedlings need to be planted 12 weeks before they are ready to be transplanted outdoors. Others may only need two-four weeks.

Careful planning and timing will ensure their readiness.

Begin with sterile soil and let the kids fill the hole half-full with the dirt. Gently place the seed in the hole and cover with soil. Using a spray bottle of water, mist the seeds and place in plastic bag and twist tie it closed. If you see moisture on the inside of the bag, open it for ventilation. Place in a sunny window and watch them grow!

*SPRING

This season is where the greatest amount of work is happening. This is the time to clean up from winter and prepare the yard for summer. Let the kids walk around the yard and pick up sticks and other bits of garbage. You can even make it a contest and the winner will get a prize. If your kids are older you may want to offer a cash incentive. Either way, it is back saving work for you and worth the price!

Depending on the area of the country you live in, planting must not begin until after the chance of freezing has past. You will be familiar with the zone you live in and follow the guidelines of safe planting. A few seed suggestions are Marigold, Sweet Alyssum, zinnia and cosmos.

Once all chances of freezing have past, you are ready to plant your seedling outdoors. Your family has watched them sprout from tiny seedlings, now they will be able to experience the thrill of the bloom!

*SUMMER

This is the greatest season of all for the family of gardeners! The planning is complete and the rewards are numerous. A family

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