L's Garden.

When I was a little girl I remember at least a dozen times planting a garden. I found seeds from somewhere in our garage, made the growing rows, watered and watered but nothing ever grew. I am sure this is due to many factors including not adding any “good soil” when I was planting, living in Seattle where sun is not always easy to come by and finally, because I had no idea what I was doing. I tried over and over and really loved the mud, dirt and hope that something would grow.

When we moved into our home one of the first things we did in our backyard was dig up a small section of our grass and plant a garden. It isn’t a very big space but we made it bigger for this summer’s garden. My husband and I love this process from starting seeds to planting to watching the seeds grow and eating fresh food right off the plant. It is really an incredible process that lends itself to great conversations with the kids. The added bonus of picking food from your backyard that you grew is just icing on the cake.

L loves to plant, water, watch the seeds turn into food. He really finds great joy in the process and asks so many questions. So, this spring we decided he would have his own garden. At first it was a very small section that we figured would be a great place to plant different seeds and we thought he wouldn’t really take ownership of it. But, it was clear very soon after we planted the seeds with him that he was going to take it all very seriously. So, we found a larger area for him and roped it off. He is so excited.

Small leaves are starting to come up out of the ground in his garden and so I thought it was time that his garden had a proper sign. Without even prompting him he started drawing one evening after dinner. He drew all the different vegetables that he wants to grow in his garden. Carrots, snap peas, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, lemons, peppers and he couldn’t help but draw a rocket ship too (his first drawing of a rocket ship by the way).

I was so impressed. He added his name and we found a great spot to add it to his garden plot. He reminded me several times when I was watering his garden (he was too busy digging to water)  to really concentrate and not get his sign wet.

While L was creating his garden sign C wanted to make one too. He worked very hard writing letters and drawing veggies he likes too. I just love our backyard. It brings out the best in all of our family.

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