Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in columbus, OH

Time To Start That Garden

April 30, 2009

Now that the weather is warming up and the threat of frost is getting smaller each day, I'm itching to start a garden. With the economic downturn and my daughter's interest in learning how things grow, planting a garden so we can harvest our our fruits and vegetables seems like a smart idea. Have you considered starting a victory garden of your own?

If you have a decent-sized backyard, you can select a small area to convert into a garden. My soil is hard clay (like much of Columbus), so I had to add several bags of top soil and some peat moss to create a workable garden. I also bought some landscape timbers to outline the garden and separate it from the rest of the yard. If you don't have any backyard to spare, or you live in an apartment, you can still grow vegetables with pots or planters, some soil and a little sun and water. Last year I grew lettuce and peppers quite successfully from a small planter.

To make this a fun family event, let your preschooler help you dig and mix the soil while preparing the garden. Most garden stores sell kid-sized gardening tools so they can dig and hoe to their satisfaction. You can also ask your child to help choose what to plant - some ideas for good Ohio-weather plants including peppers, spinach, cucumbers, strawberries, zucchini, carrots, and green beans. Many herbs also grow easily and quickly, and make great plants for your child to be assigned to care for.

Set up a chart detailing the care needed for a garden, including planting, watering, and weeding. Few kids can resist a watering can and some thirsty plants, so you'll likely have an eager helper. With a little time and TLC, you'll be cooking up some of your homegrown veggies this summer. And hopefully, the thrill of growing your own food might tempt even the most picky preschooler to try some new foods! 

Growing Your Own Container Garden

by Christina Mack

June 25, 2008

I was at the grocery a few days ago, lamenting the price of food and how our grocery bill seems to be higher each week, when I came to a realization: why are we paying for some of this when we can grow it ourselves? I grew up with fresh vegetables coming from my mom's garden every summer. Somehow her green thumb didn't rub off on me, though, and I've never had my own garden. But Cordy  Read more...