I’m not someone who is very good at gardening. I mean, I know the basics and all of planting stuff but when it comes to teaching my kids the nuances involved in it, I’m not the best person. And since Timothy had been showing a lot of interest in the plants and flowers in the backyard recently, I decided I would try and learn more than I know, so that I could at least help him out and this way we could take it up as a hobby together.
I’ve noticed that kids love to watch things grow in front of their eyes; it fills them with awe and they are very fascinated. And so, when I came across this activity called ‘Whimsical Planter’ online, I decided it was just the thing to do over the weekend.
First of all, we got hold of a couple of old rain boots, watering cans, teapots and teacups (the discarded ones, of course, which had a chip here or a crack there, or a handle missing). Once that was done, we planted ourselves on the porch in front of our garden (it’s not a very big one but I try keeping it neat), and filled up all these items with potting soil from a patch in the corner.
The ‘pots’ were then placed in a row along the fence, where they could get adequate sunlight. In one, we planted nasturtium; in another, aquilegias (a friend told me once these are established, they will happily set seed and so we will never be short of new plants!). The son and I got ourselves quite muddy in the process though; while the daughter was watching us with disdain all the while!
From that day onwards, the first thing Timothy does every morning is to jump out of bed and race outside to see if his flowers are up. They aren’t yet; but I hope they will be soon. Waiting for the day – maybe Sarah will not turn up her nose at us then! :)
I’ve noticed that kids love to watch things grow in front of their eyes; it fills them with awe and they are very fascinated. And so, when I came across this activity called ‘Whimsical Planter’ online, I decided it was just the thing to do over the weekend.
First of all, we got hold of a couple of old rain boots, watering cans, teapots and teacups (the discarded ones, of course, which had a chip here or a crack there, or a handle missing). Once that was done, we planted ourselves on the porch in front of our garden (it’s not a very big one but I try keeping it neat), and filled up all these items with potting soil from a patch in the corner.
The ‘pots’ were then placed in a row along the fence, where they could get adequate sunlight. In one, we planted nasturtium; in another, aquilegias (a friend told me once these are established, they will happily set seed and so we will never be short of new plants!). The son and I got ourselves quite muddy in the process though; while the daughter was watching us with disdain all the while!
From that day onwards, the first thing Timothy does every morning is to jump out of bed and race outside to see if his flowers are up. They aren’t yet; but I hope they will be soon. Waiting for the day – maybe Sarah will not turn up her nose at us then! :)