Gardening: Plant Parenthood

In springtime, who doesn't get a bit excited as hopeful green shoots magically push through the soil? I try to capitalize on that universal excitement with my kids. Around February, we always start 3 or 4 flats of seeds in the basement under inexpensive grow lights. 

(Yes, my dream is to have my own greenhouse – till then, a growlight in the basement and a few windowsills will have to suffice.)

Kids love ownership. Kids need to learn responsibility. What kills these two birds with one stone? Gardening! Here's how for less that a few dollars you can ignite that spark of interest in all things green:

 Peat-pellets are fun just to watch the flat discs hydrate and grow in a matter of minutes when placed in water, but peat pots filled with potting soil work just as well. 

 

 Let your child choose at least one packet of seeds to care for as their own. Did I really want a cactus garden? No, but my boy was enchanted with the idea of growing cacti. *shrugs* So I buy a cheap terra cotta pot and we have a portable cactus garden – if it helps him get excited about gardening, it's worth it.

Walk them through the planting instructions on the back of the seed packet.Then when planted, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot – sunny windowsills work great. Once the seeds have sprouted and are touching the plastic wrap, remove and let them grow. Inevitably, your child will forget to water their seedlings and you'll find them withered or downright crunchy-dead. That's ok – this is an inexpensive way for them to see the natural consequences of their responsibility, or lack thereof.

When your average frost-date is past and it's time to move the seedlings outside, 'harden them off' first by placing them outside in a shady spot for a few hours the first day, then a few more hours the second day with a bit more direct sunlight, then by the third day you can keep them out overnight and they'll be tough enough to survive in 'the wild' whether that is in a pot on your patio or in a garden in your backyard. 

 Keep reinforcing that ownership of their plant means watching, watering and weeding. Asking frequently about their plants so they will want to tend it them all summer long. And don't underestimate the effect of example. I love gardening because my parents love gardening. And let's face it, anything that teaches kids to work and teaches responsibility has to be worthwhile in the parenting-scheme of things!