Plant a Garden with the Kids
March 7, 2007 by Kerri Aldrich
Filed under General Play Library Goodies
My 3 year old greets me this morning with, “Happy Winter Day, Mommy!” In fact, we only have a tiny patch of snow left after weeks of the yard being blanketed in it. But, we’ve finally hit March and now there is hope of spring in the air, though I do hear it’s supposed to snow this weekend. 
Ah well, soon it’ll be 90 degrees out and snow will sound refreshing….but not quite yet.
One thing I’m looking forward to doing with the kids this year is gardening. We made our first vegetable garden last year, and our oldest had fun with us planting and watching our little plants grow and produce great big tomatoes and banana peppers. Even the then 2 year old loved going out to the garden to harvest the veggies (I think he called it, “going to the jungle”). This year, I’m hoping to get the kids a little more involved. We’ll start with helping them pick some of their favorite fruits and veggies, and then figure out which will grow best in our yard. Flowers will be fun, too, I think! I’ll be looking to Rebecca who has joined b5media at Mother Earth’s Garden for guidance and ideas!!!!
We do have little gloves and gardening tools just the right size for the kids. It’s fun for them to have their own tools made for their own little hands to feel like this project really is about them, too, and not just a Mommy and Daddy project that they’re getting dragged along on, you know? That’s my hope for this season, that this year’s garden is a chance for all of our family to participate and feel ownership in the renewing of our garden. And, hey, it’ll be something to do to get out of this house! Cabin fever, anyone? 
What spring traditions and activities do you share with your kids?
Regarding the kid-sized gloves. We have pairs for each of the children, not for play but for real work. I’ve found they’re much more inclined to help rake, bag leaves, weed, when they have equipment that is kid-sized. It makes it fun.
Michelle: I think that’s a good idea. We have the kids stuff stored with ours out in the garage. It’s exciting for them to have their own supplies when they come to help us out. I’m looking forward to a few years down the road when the boys really will be able to help with some of the outdoor chores!