For the first time this year, I gave each of my kids a small piece of the garden to make their own and plant whatever they wanted (with some suggestions.)
We've talked a lot about what size things are supposed to get, and such. We also did some spring vegetables and talked about leaving room for summer stuff.
My two older kids each got roughly a square, around 4'x4', on the bottom terrace. My youngest got a little strip next to the path about 18"x4', up in the middle terrace.
It has been really interesting seeing the differences.
My oldest son wanted all edibles.
About a week after he planted it.
One lonely potato shoot coming up and a few miniscule seedlings.
Here it is now. A bit more going on.
For spring, he planted 1 row of carrots, 1 row of swiss chard, 1 row of beets, and 1 hill of potatoes.
So far some carrots are up (upper left), his potato is doing awesome, and a few beets and spinach are scattered around.
He left some room for summer stuff, so he recently added the basil, and the 3 sweet peppers surrounded by cages.
In addition, at a school event he received a few herb seeds, a few cosmos, and 4 garbanzo bean seeds. I didn't show that, but those went in all next to each other right in the front.
He didn't ask for help or advice on that one and I didn't say anything once it was done. I figure he'll be able to see pretty quickly as they come up what the optimal spacing would be next time.
There's nothing like just getting your hands in it and trying it for yourself to learn!
1 week after planting seeds, flowers just put in
My daughter's garden now.
My daughter wanted a
border of flowers all around hers, so we marked off where that would be with a
plank and a trowel. Along the left side, for her flower border, she planted
some 'Little Sweetheart' sweet peas, which are only supposed to grow 25-30
inches high. In the top left corner she planted an ornamental grass called
Bunny Tails (Lagarus ovatus). I hope this one grows, as she is really looking
forward to it! We took a little trip to the garden center for flowers to fill in around the rest of borders.
She chose petunias, marigolds, portulaca, lobelia, and verbena.
There may or may not be room for vegetables!
A closeup of her carrots and flowers.
In the middle of her square she planted 1 row each of carrots (shown above), beets, spinach, and swiss chard. She found some of my bean seed from last year and planted a few of those amongst her flower border, as well.
With what little room she had left, she put in 1 basil plant and 1 pepper.
I wasn't originally going to do a separate garden for my littlest guy, but after he saw what his older siblings were doing he insisted! I couldn't resist that.
So he got a long skinny patch, all right next to our little walkway in the middle terrace, for easy access.
Youngest son's garden (bottom of the picture)
We kept it simple for his.
He wanted all things to eat, like his big brother.
So we planted one section peas, one of carrots, and one of beets.
Here's a closeup of his peas, which are doing great!
He's very excited about his little garden and wants to water it all by himself.
I think he'll be even more thrilled when it produces food that he can actually pick and eat!
I think they're all planning to put in beans once some of their summer stuff is finished.
Maybe we'll actually get enough beans in the house to eat as a meal this year!
I'll admit it was a little bit hard to give up some of my garden space, at first.
This has been great, though!
There have been so many teaching moments as we've talked about what to plant, when, where, how far apart, and all of that. There will be many more learning experiences as everything continues to grow, including the weeds.
I've been doing what I can to help keep things watered, and if not weed-free, at least getting the big stuff. I really want this to be a successful venture for them.
It is heart-warming to hear them talk about their gardens, and show their friends who come over.