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So many important discussions about life can begin with gardening.
One good way to spend "quality time" with your children or grandchildren
is to make a children's garden with them.
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Vegetable Section: Build bamboo teepees for scarlet runner beans, gourds or pole beans. Leave a good block for the "runners" of watermelons and pumpkins. Make neat sentinels of staked tomatoes. 
Flower Section:Plant seeds in neat rows or circles, whatever the child designs - perhaps an outline of a butterfly, an airplane, or a bell. Use the flowers to color the pattern and give the picture dimension. 
Herb Section: Fill this area with scents and tastes such as chocolate peppermint and lavender. Use the herbs in soups, sachets or potpourri. Widen the world of plants for your child, and you will give him or her a gift for life. |
Marigolds, Zinnias, Larkspur, Hollyhock, and Celosia are a few of the plants that pop into my mind as "easy" seeders. The seeds are right in plain sight when the flower fades. What is left is the seed, nature's way of procreating more lovelies for the next season. If left ungathered, they will fall to the ground and appear next year in the same general area. Gathering can be a fun project for young children. Begin by taking a photo of the plants. Get a brown envelope to put the seeds in, then gather the seeds after all the dew has dried off the plant. Put the seeds in the envelope with the photo, seal it, and write the plant name on the envelope, with the location and date when the seeds were harvested. Store the packet in a cool dark place until next spring. Then plan your garden with the help of the children who gathered. Prepare the soil and finally, about May 1, allow the children to experience the magic of Mother Nature. WOW ! |
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| Daylily
Violet Four o'clock Zinnia Heliotrope Sensitive Plant Pansy |
Sunflower Marigold Cosmos Calendula Snapdragon Lamb's Ear |
Purple
Hyacinth Bean Nasturtium Lettuce Peanuts Lima Beans Radishes |
Mint Basil Rosemary Spinach Squash Carrot Pumpkins |
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here at Maplewood.