Do you wish you could create some “good old days”?

Do you wish you could create some “good old days” with your family?

What if you start memories today?

If you’re overwhelmed. Don’t worry.

I’ve got you!

Your garden is about more than growing food or flowers.

It’s about growing with the humans in your life.

So how do you create memorable days?

Let’s start with the garden planning.

• Find a few seed catalog companies to request a physical catalog from – Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange, Johnny Select Seed and take a visual leap into the pages.
• Have your kids make lists of what THEY want to grow in the garden.
• Create an order together
• Head to a local nursery (or seed company-MI Gardener) to pick seeds together as a family.
• Design your garden together.
• Let your kids draw their own sketches – even the littlest artists have brilliant ideas.

 Seed Starting:

• Let them count seeds for you – here is a handy worksheet I created last year.

It was our most used piece of paper all year – we counted 20 zinnia seeds for workshops, used 20 seeds for onion growing, and 20 seeds in packets for friends and family. If you’re soil blocking with the ¾” blocks, 20 is the perfect number here too!

I let the kiddo count the seeds, placing one seed on each circle, and I could VERY easily verify that each spot was filled.

• Kids love to help and they like to get messy. Let them mix dry soil with water.

This task is truly a joy for them and it keeps them busy so you can plan the rest of your garden.

If you add dinosaurs, trucks, and duckies… really anything washable to the dirt pile, they love it even more.

Recycled cups, containers, and squeeze bottles are also great for making volcanoes, rivers, and lakes.

• Toddlers to grandparents can fill soil into pots.
• They can be directed to plant seeds.
  • I try to make a plan on paper with how many seeds we are planting.
  • I write out variety, amount of seeds we are growing and today’s date on a piece of masking tape so it’s a “to do” list so the plan doesn’t get lost in the excitement.
• Kids can wash pots and trays. A large waterproof smock and extra towels is helpful. *winks*
• They can water plants (with help).
• Kids can tell you if plants look funny, if they see bugs, or if the soil is dry.
  • Once you show them what to look for… as you learn it yourself… it becomes second nature to them.
  • We are all nurturing nature and our kids pick it up like sponges.
  • You children will surprise you with plant facts sooner than you can imagine.

For the families who want their kids to learn practical hands-on skills.

Here is an inspirational list to get your creative juices flowing!

• Counting (seriously grab this worksheet, it’s simply the best)
• Copy work – seed catalogs made into wish lists, seed packet varieties and instructions
• Gross motor skills – mixing soil, making dinosaur volcanoes in the dirt
• Fine motor skills – working with seeds in any capacity, holding plants, caring for plants
• Money – how many seed packets can we purchase for this budget
• Communication skills – Little kids can say “I want an orange tomato”. Soon you’ll be discussing “I want to grow 5 Sun Gold tomatoes next year because…”. Our kids grow in language skills and discussing the garden is a practical application to use.
• Observation skills as seeds sprout, as the growing season continues, and as it’s time to harvest.
• Patience – really! Waiting for seeds to sprout gives kids a purposeful use for patience. You can also look up how long it takes for tomatoes to bloom once planted and how long from flower to fruit.
• Studying nature – plant growth, soil microbiome, good bug/bad bug, wet vs. dry soil, why flowers in the veggie garden, what you want to do with your plants – eat fresh, can, dry, freeze, etc. There are so many topics that revolve around the garden. Look up these topics, find gardening or preserving youtube’s and soak up some knowledge together.
• Play – from plant shopping adventures to dirt work and seeds to planting outside… your garden experience is play for them which makes this a beautiful experience even when there are days and days you only remember whining and snacks. Your kids are growing, learning, and thriving.

Download the worksheet and then think about your family and your garden for a few days.

Whether you’re inspired or stuck… send me a note hello@fencepostflowerfarm.com

I’d love to talk garden with you.

With grit and gratitude,

Laura