include: gloriosa daisy, ageratum, coneflower, coreopsis, and California poppy. Pay attention to whether perennials enjoy shade or sun or both, and they will pay you back in resurgent beauty. 3. Vote for veggies. Few things are as satisfying as watching food grow from a seed. But it’s also great to just purchase veggie starters. In cool weather try carrots, lettuce,
Grow a Gardener Plant Flowers, Veggies, and Herbs with Kids By Christina Katz
K
ids grow. Plants grow. Why not teach kids to grow plants? Here is a list of possible things to nurture in a window box, a four-foot by four-foot plot of soil, or a bed along the side of the house.
1. Plant annual flowers. By far the easiest to grow with the most immediate results are annual flowers. Start with annuals if your little gardener has never dug in the soil before. Hardy annuals for first-time planters include flower seeds that germinate quickly, such as sunflowers, cosmos, sweet alyssum, zinnia, and pansies. 2. Invest in perennial flowers. Once young gardeners understand 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife
the concept of annual bloomers, it’s time to introduce them to flowers that come back year after year. Be sure to convey the savings in time and money, since perennials are planted once and enjoyed for many years. Check perennials annually to see if they need to be split or spread out. You might wish to seasonally scatter a few of your perennial’s seeds in other parts of your yard. Good choices for first-time planters
Create beds of sweet-smelling, flowering bushes if you want to attract lots of hummingbirds and butterflies. radishes, peas, spinach, kale, swiss chard, and broccoli. In warm weather try beans, cucumbers, spring onions, cherry or grape tomatoes, round zucchini, and patty pan squash. 4. Favor fruit plants. Children of all ages adore eating fresh fruit warmed by the sun. Try planting strawberries, thornless blackberries, thornless raspberries, and blueberries for years of enjoyment. Watch out for blackberries, which grow vigorously but can become invasive. 5. Let’s hear it for herbs. Herbs provide pleasure at any age. My daughter has been popping mint leaves into her mouth since she could walk. Herb gardens are especially appealing to tweens and teens testing culinary skills in the kitchen. And herbs can also provide pleasure at any age. We enjoy a little mint or lemon balm in iced tea,
May 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
