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How Does Your Garden Grow?
Teaching Your Child the Art of Gardening By Julia Rosien
Martha Bellings asked her daughter where lima beans grow. "Silly Mommy, they don't grow. You buy them in the grocery store," said 4-year-old Karen. She believed lettuce, carrots and pickles came only from the store, too.
Even if you have never gardened before, take a deep breath and don some gardening gloves. Plant some of "Nature's Cuddlers" plants that thrive with constant attention if your child likes to be hands-on in the garden. However, if you plan on waiting for Mother Nature to do her thing, plant some "Stubborn Survivors" plants that flourish even in drought conditions. Either way, dig in and grow something for supper.
Scarlet Runner Beans These lovely purple and black beans come shooting through the earth less than a week after planting. Nick the seeds anywhere with a sharp knife and soak 24 hours to encourage sprouting. Explain to your child that the hard shell of the bean needs to be softened and opened slightly so the plant inside can get out and grow. Plant them in a sunny spot, water them and fertilize generously. Build a tee-pee from old tent poles, or plant them near a fence and help them climb. Enjoy bright red flowers all summer on tall green stalks. Beans longer than an adult's finger can be picked for supper or left to dry on the plant. In autumn, let your child peel the colorful beans from their cocoon and store them for soup or planting next summer.
Parsley Plant from seed in a sunny location and water often. Give your child a small watering can and allow her to water her garden twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. Explain that plants need water to grow, but too much water will drown them. Watch for caterpillars on your parsley. They love it, and if you let them, they'll find a place nearby to make a cocoon. Caterpillars are greedy, so if you want some parsley for yourself, remove them to a tree. Use parsley to garnish hamburgers or freeze for chili during the cold winter months.
