Gardening with Kids: Letting Nature Take Its Course

Today's fast-paced lifestyle makes it difficult -and especially important- to spend quality time with your kids. Luckily, the arrival of spring presents many opportunities to do just that. As the weather warms, turn off the television, head outside, and create a family garden to add fun, sun and exercise to your daily summer routine.

The first step in this family project is to decide what type of garden you want and need. Gardens can be any size you wish, so take time to think about how much space you have outdoors to dedicate to a plot . Make sure the space you choose gets plenty of sunlight (gardens require approximately 8 hours of full sun a day) and drains well when it rains. Mark the plot with stakes and till the ground with a garden tiller or hire someone to till it.

Next, discuss what type of plants you want to put in your garden. Remember that you don't have to be limited to only vegetables. Flowers and herbs may also be a great addition to your space. Be sure to include plants that are kid friendly, such as pumpkins, bird house gourds, or sunflowers. These will provide family fun activities even after the garden is done. Consider allowing everyone to choose seeds or plants of their very own. Not only does this help involve your kids in the planning process, it also gives each person responsibility of a specific part of the garden to tend to throughout the summer.

Take a family trip to your local nursery to get an idea of what seeds and plants are available in your area. Be sure to take advantage of the information on the back of the seed packet or the tag on the plant. Each will tell you when, how far apart and how deep to plant. It may also give a helpful description of the plant , such as how large it will become or how it grows. For instance, some plants vine along the ground or grow best when given something to climb, so keep in mind the size of your dedicated garden plot during this process.

When you've chosen your seeds, have your kids help plant them. Some plants have different planting times, so you may need to plant in sessions. Mark the rows with stakes and label them with what plants you've put there. This is a good time to start a family garden journal. Have your kids write about the gardening process up to this point or what they think the garden will look like when the plants start to grow. Include drawings of the garden plot or take pictures of the different stages as they are completed.

Visit your garden regularly to pull weeds away from the plants and to observe the progress being made. When the plants begin to grow, discuss the similarities and differences between them. Now is a good time to make a scarecrow or windsocks. Not only does this keep your kids interested in the garden, but may also help keep animals at bay that love to eat the young tender plants.

When your harvest is ready, plan a dinner that includes fresh items from the garden. Have your kids create invitations for friends and family to attend. When the big day arrives, go through the process of picking, washing, and preparing the meal as a family. If you wish, have your kids share their garden journal with those who attend.

As the season ends, make a decision of what to do with your extra bounty. Many vegetables may be canned or frozen, and herbs can be dried. If your community has a farmer's market, you may wish to take some of the surplus to sell. Contact your local food bank or shelter to donate a portion to those in need. This is a good opportunity to instill the importance of giving back to the community.

Gardening is a great way to reduce stress and reconnect with the outdoors. Add kids to the mix and you have a fun family activity that is sure to strengthen relationships and open lines of communication. So this spring, try your hand at a family garden. Get outside and let nature take its course.