As the weather warms we are drawn from our hibernating states to venture into the sun and absorb some vitamin D. This is a great time to start a project with the kids that can last all Summer.
If you have a garden - GREAT! If not this could be the year to start a small one. If you live in a condo or apartment box gardening can also be the answer. It is too early to put seeds in the ground in most areas of the U.S., resist the urge. It can seem like it is time because our perennial plants are starting to show up, but remember the plants have deep roots, a seed put an inch below the surface is still not ready for the cold soil and cool nights.
The fun starts at the store, have them pick out a seed they want to grow, and you can buy the little biodegradable pots at the store or use some Styrofoam cups like school - the nice thing with the cups is being able to write on the cup.
Look on the packages - some plants like radishes mature very quickly, this may stop the kids from prematurely pulling the carrots out of the ground.
The Garden
Have them help you select the spot by deciding where the optimal sun hits during the day - as always have fun with this, suggest several areas and have them measure the sun. Most vegetables need a bright "full sun" area. If you have rabbits like I have, a box garden can help with this. Mine are 12 inches off the ground and the rabbits don't mess with my stuff.
Perennial Food Producers
You may want to consider some perennial plants for ease each year. We have one box garden that is almost all perennial with asparagus and rhubarb, both take a few years before you harvest. Berries can also be great, we have 4 Blackberry plants against a fence and each year they produce great mid day snacks - the kids eat them right off the plant. We also a grape plant that make a huge batch of sweet grapes each year. We have a plum tree, we don't spray and usually loose most of them to the Japanese beetles, and fruit trees can be messy in the yard.
Have fun and enjoy the harvest and fresh food!
