Getting the Kids to Dig Gardening;

            It’s that time of the year where you can begin to plan to have a backyard garden. I’ve done a garden for several years now and always try to make my kids get involved.  A few things I can recommend to make it a little easier on you, and more fun for them;



these beauties were grown from scraps





1. I always take them to a garden center, not the big box type, but a real garden center this way they can be more hands on with the whole process. I love Richfield farms in Clifton they always have some great stuff and they have a few small shopping carts for the kids to push (which they love) let them be involved by making sure they can fill up their cart too!

2. Pick up some child size fabric garden gloves. Also, I find that these types of small garden centers are the only place I can find gloves small enough for the little hands, take note to get them NOW or they will be gone come planting time.

3. Another great idea for the kids is their own watering can, they love it, yes they will most often end up soaking wet, but it’s all part of the learning curve, and it keeps them occupied. Some mini garden tools won’t hurt either, stick to just a hand trowel as the shovel and rake are usually a little to much for them to handle at this stage (2-4) and a good pair of crocs are a gardening parents best friend!

my little guy helping out.

4. Next it’s time to choose what you will plant? Let them be involved here as well, there are a million seed packets with bright colors and pictures of all the fruits and vegetables on them. Let them look through and pick out whatever they want. They are cheap and if they don’t grow it won’t matter because they will probably forget by that time anyway.

5. Make sure you pick up good garden soil to mix in with your soil at home if you’re planting in the ground. And if your using pots pick those up now as well, you don’t need a lot of space to grow a few veggies and the kids may actually eat them if they are involved in the whole process. Cucumbers are a favorite of ours around here.

A few last notes on starting a garden, you WILL have to water plants EVERY day, no way around it, there are a few things that can make it easier as well: a soaker hose, and a timer. But if you don’t want to spend the money on those items just make sure you can reach your garden easily with your hose and do it every morning before the sun gets too hot, or in the evening after sundown. Good luck and happy gardening.

peace &

love to all,

dinelle.