Family Gardening
Thinking about planting a garden this year? Follow these tips to grow your own vegetables, and find ways to make it a fun family activity.
Family Gardening Tips
Family Gardening Tips Cynthia Davis Klemmer, the Children's Education Coordinator at theMassachusetts Horticultural Society, suggests these gardening activity tips for families: Start small. Window boxes or containers, because of their smallsize, can actually turn out to be rather luxurious gardens. Recycle clean bleach and milkcontainers. Cut off the tops and use them as planters.Be willing to put up with a less-than-perfect looking garden: crookedrows and weeds are okay.read moreFruit and Veggie Plants
Fruit and Veggie PlantsMaterials Lemon, orange, grapefruit, Potting soil or earth and/or potato without lumps Knife Plastic wrap and rubber band Leakproof containers Large bucket Water Directionsread more
Garden Plan
Garden PlanTime 1 to 2 hours, plus maintenance Materials Gardening toolsPaperPencilPackaged seeds Directions read moreGrowing Pumpkins
Growing PumpkinsPumpkins need about four months to grow, so plant the seeds three to four weeks after the last spring frost. Materials Soil and compost Pumpkin seeds Compost tea Leaves or grass clippings Newspapers or straw mulchDirectionsread moreGrowing Strawberries
Growing StrawberriesStrawberries are easy to grow and delicious to eat. Best of all, the plants bear fruit year after year. Materials Strawberry seedlings Compost Straw mulchDirectionsread more
Herb Garden
Herb GardenBecause growing requirements vary among herbs, be sure to read each seed packet before you begin. Materials Marker Popsicle sticks Empty coffee cans or other leakproof containers Potting soil Herb seeds, such as basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, marjoram, oregano, dill, cilantro, mint, or chives Spray bottle full of water Directionsread moreHomemade Composter
Homemade ComposterThe key to a healthy garden is good soil, and good soil is full of nutrients and organic matter. The best way to improve your soil is to add compost. You can buy compost or make it yourself in a store-bought or homemade composter. Materials Large plastic garbage can with lid Utility knife Hammer NailDirectionsread moreHow to Plant Tomatoes
How to Plant TomatoesPlant tomatoes early in the growing season, about two or three weeks after the last frost. Some varieties produce only one crop of tomatoes (a good choice for containers), while others keep producing until the first frost. Materials Tomato seedlings Tomato cages Compost Compost teaDirectionsread moreIndoor Seedlings
Indoor SeedlingsYour child should grow seedlings indoors about one month before he wants to plant them outside. Materials Styrofoam cups Potting soil Seeds Pen Tray Spray bottle full of water Plastic wrap Directionsread more
Landscaping with a Green Thumb: Composting
Landscaping with a Green Thumb: Composting Compost is a free gift of nature that all plants thrive on. As a soil amendment or mulch, it improves the fertility and water-holding capacity of soil, encourages healthy root development in plants, and provides food for the microorganisms that help to keep soil in a balanced condition. That is exciting news for the gardener and his garden.read moreLandscaping with a Green Thumb: The Ornamental Garden
Landscaping with a Green Thumb: The Ornamental GardenGardening with your family can be fun, and it can be a great way to teach your kids about nature and the environment. If you'd like to see green plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees in your yard instead of just a broad expanse of lawn, you're on your way to an environmentally friendly landscape. Just be sure to follow "green" practices and opt for a low-maintenance garden.read more
