Normally, most people type a gardening post during early spring or summer. But for many across the country, the weather has been such that beginner gardening might be most appropriate! If nothing else, you can file this one and refer to it again next spring.
We began gardening after my FIL insisted that it would be a worthwhile activity for the kids to enjoy. At the time, we couldn’t see gardening past the fact that it was one more thing to do.
Now, we recognize the full value of our not-so-little pastime, from the ability to help the kids unplug, to an opportunity to get some exercise and fresh air, to the ability to treat ourselves to flavorful, healthy foods. The added benefit is that, as we educate ourselves more, we get better at growing something really good.
The December shot does not truly represent the growth of the garden. We added green onions, and the strawberry plants actually survived a monstrous amount of rain and are now sprouting. Most of all, we’ve been eating, and it’s been good!
My first introduction to gardening for children, outside of my FIL’s noble effort, was an article that discussed building hand muscles for writing excellence. The article suggests that many times, children are asked to manipulate a pencil in ways that their hands simply are not strong enough to do. Gardening was one of many ways to build little hand strength; who knew?
Well, I am no expert at gardening. And it does take a bit of diligence, once you get past the recent hype and glamour of backyard gardening as a movement. I still have much to learn, so I will instead point you to other resources that might get you thinking about growing something–for the kids’ sake!
- The many benefits and resources of gardening as an integral part of your homeschool
- A practical guide for beginning gardening
- Growing a garden indoors
- Controlling garden pests infographic
Also, because finding fresh vegetables in urban communities can be a major health issue for so many, I thought to raise awareness about this as well. I remember only too well my years as a college student, when fresh fruit was hard to find without a car. I graduated with a cholesterol level that should have killed me, but God had more for me to do. Praise Him. I share this because your venture into gardening might be an opportunity for you to bless someone else, or to reiterate to your children the value of fresh, raw foods, no matter where you live.
Great post. I didn’t know gardening was good for little hands but it makes sense. We may start an indoor garden. Thanks for the idea!
Sounds fantastic. Thanks so much for visiting, Mama KK.