Spring Has Sprung – Part 2

Now that your seeds are well established (you have grown a small plant), it's time to move them outside.

What you need:

• Shovel
• Small plot of land
• Plants (either grown from seed or purchased)
• Water
• Garden hoe
• Patience

Get children to participate in preparing the soil. The soil must be dug with the shovel and any large rocks or old roots removed. You may want to do the digging and get the children to get pick through the mud for the rocks. You may have to do some extra laundry, but the fun is well worth it!

Why not choose a theme garden? Get children to help you pick the theme. How about a salad garden or a garden to supply toppings for pizza? Dedicate a small portion of the garden for a younger child's garden. For a preschooler, a two foot plot is fine. You will have to prepare the soil. That may be too difficult for a small child and you want the experience to be rewarding and fun. Make rows in the garden with a hoe and plant the seeds or plants according to directions on the package.

When your garden starts to produce, invite other children in the community over for a pizza party with vegetables produced from your garden. Who knows, you may start something exciting and healthy for the whole community!