Family Gardening

Are you starting a garden, but don't trust your green thumb? Check out these easy-to-grow garden favorites! ...

Garden PlanTime 1 to 2 hours, plus maintenance Materials Gardening toolsPaperPencilPackaged seeds Directions Let your child select a designated number of seed packets after you have sketched out a rough layout of the garden together.Check the pa...

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 mulchDirections Choose...

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 Directions Lemon, Orange, or Grapefruit Plant Soak the seeds ...

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,...

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. Ma...

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 composte...

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 mulchDirections Help your child plant strawberry seedlings about one foot apa...

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 Directions Fill Styrofoam cups with potti...

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...