The winter is finally over and we're all celebrating at my

house! The girls have had their bikes out for the last few days

(even though they both desperately need bigger ones and I

haven't had time to shop yet), and they've been together with

the neighbourhood kids again. It seems that all winter we stay

indoors and hardly see our neighbours, and then everyone

magically reappears in April!

The spring tends to lift everyone's spirits. For many of us,

one of the best parts of spring is that not only are our

spirits back to life, but our gardens are, too. And gardening

provides a great way to spend some time with your kids outside.

Here are some tips for different age groups (if you don't

have a garden or if you live in an apartment, scroll down

to the end where I have some tips just for you):

1. Babies

If you need to garden, spread out a blanket on the ground so

your baby can play while you work. Just make sure they

wear sunscreen, even in the spring before it's too hot (it's

probably a good idea to dab some on yourself, too). If

your baby rolls and is a concern, take a playpen outside.

Often just being in different surroundings in the fresh air

cheers them up.

If they just won't sit still for very long, move them to

different parts of the yard so they get a change in

surroundings. You can also choose specific toys which you

only bring out during gardening time, so they're less

likely to be bored.

2. Toddlers

This is an age where kids love to get messy, but

unfortunately often choose to do so right where you're trying

to get things neat and tidy! If you have a compost bin, let

them shovel around in it to find some neat bugs. You can

get them a jar where they can collect the bugs, along with

leaves to feed them (as long as you're sure they're not

going to put those beetles in their mouths!).

Another neat trick is to choose a part of the garden

where they can dig all by themselves. Give them some

gardening gloves and a little trowel, and get them to work

somewhere where they won't do any serious damage. You can

even give them seeds, and ask them to bury them. Or ask

them to see how many rocks they can dig up. To a toddler,

digging in real dirt is infinitely better than digging

in any sandbox!

3. Preschoolers-Elementary Age

Here's the age where kids can get their own garden and

actually start doing a few chores to help. If they're

4 or 5, they're probably old enough for a tiny plot, if

only to put a few sunflower seeds or some wildflower

seeds. You may have to remind them to water them or

to weed them, but they'll love seeing things start to

grow!

When my kids were 5 or 6 they were able to do small

chores for very short periods of time, like weed certain

areas or spread compost. The attention span isn't too

long, but they can be helpful in quick bursts!

4. Older Children

Some kids are going to love to garden, and some are

going to hate it. If they hate it, don't push them.

But you can always offer to give them a plot of ground,

too, to see if this is a motivator, even if it's just

a windowbox. If the kids get to choose the flowers,

they'll be more inclined to take care of it.

Once kids are pre-teens, though, they're at the age

where they can honestly help, and where you might

actually need it.

Consider making some garden chores their weekly

chores, and tie them to allowances. My husband had

to mow a ton of grass as a kid and weed a very

large garden, but he saved his mom a lot of time!

I'll have more tips in another newsletter about

how to motivate kids to do chores. But if you need their

help, don't be afraid to ask for it!

Now, what about those of you who don't have a garden?

I firmly believe that gardening can be a wonderful learning

opportunity for kids, and helps them to appreciate the

miracle of nature. Besides that, most kids like dirt and

getting dirty, so why not take advantage of it?

If you don't have a garden, consider getting a windowbox that

you can hang on your balcony or outside a window. Wal-Mart

or Canadian Tire can help set you up with one. But as with

everything in gardening, keep one thing in mind (the one

thing I always forget and come to regret in July when

I'm in over my head): don't dream too big. Don't plant

so much that you can't take care of it. A little windowbox

that you can remember to water is infinitely better than a

20x20 foot garden that you never weed.

Let your kids choose the flowers, and watch them smile

as they start to grow!

From the April 2003 edition of To Love, Honor and Vacuum newsletter. Click here to subscribe.

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