Several years ago two of our little grandchildren asked if they could have gardens of their very own in our backyard. They had seen ours and found them delightful. So when the seed catalogs began showing up at the end of winter we began planning. Together, we spent a lot of time searching and talking about the zillions of specimens being offered. Every flower they saw looked so pretty. It was hard to choose just what they would benefit most from in the small space each would have to work with. Then there was the sun/shade factor to consider. Although the space they would be using for their gardens was located in the sunniest part of our yard, no place in it received full sun all day long. They had to think hard about whether they wanted all flowers, all veggies, or a mix of both. We had a lot of searching and talking and measuring to do before it all finally came together. It was also a fun way to pass the closing weeks of a cold winter season and find hope and joy ahead by envisioning gardens full of colorful flowers and yummy veggies. They both finally decided they wanted a mix of flowers and veggies. One wanted more flowers though. They each choose to plant one cherry tomato stalk, looking forward to being able to pick off the luscious little red fruit whenever they wanted to. Soon a plan of action was in place. We measured the space each would have and I explained how big each plant would grow to be. All to be taken into consideration when they began planting. It was an exciting day when the seeds arrived in the mail. As the weather grew warmer we added organic compost and worked up the soil. Then came the fun part as they went about making short rows, raking and hoeing and finally sowing the seeds and covering them with fine soil. Anxiously they watched, awaiting the day when bright green seedlings would finally appear. Eventually, the row of carrots came up - so thick that they had to tediously and carefully thin them - as did most everything they'd planted from seed. One of them chose to grow a couple of green bean stalks. The other insisted on having a head of cabbage - for mommy. We visited a nursery for this and for flowers that take too long to start from seed. Before long they each had a thriving little garden brimming over with flowers and a few veggies. They collected stones and used them to draw a line between the two gardens and sticks marked the short rows. Two markers, one a frog and the other a butterfly boldly sporting each of their names, were set into the soil identifying whose garden it was. By the time summer was in full force each was thoroughly enjoying reaping the reward of their labor. They'd learned a lot about seeds, where they came from and what they needed to thrive and grow into plants. About shade and sun; the effects of crowding and the tough decision to eliminate some for the sake of others; what kind of food different plants needed; how necessary moisture is; the importance of mulching. And definitely about weeds and how persistent they can be. How even mulching doesn't keep them completely away. They also learned how difficult it can be to get into the garden and pull those weeds without stepping on the good plants. They had fun playing games with the funny snapdragons; watching bees and butterflies visit their plants. They learned about big green worms that love to eat parsley and how they later turn into gorgeous butterflies. Picking a colorful bouquet from their very own garden and presenting it to mommy offered a unique delight all its own. By late summer as some of the cosmos became spent nature had yet another surprise in store for them as American Gold Finches came to visit the flowers and eat the tiny seeds. As sunflower heads aged they discovered that totally unbeknown to them Blue Jays had been watching them closely, eager to snatch the seeds away as soon as they were ready. Having a garden of their own had been a great learning experience for girls - filled with fun and mystery and work and play. I hope it has stirred up a joy within them that will stay for the rest of their lives. I will always cherish and appreciate having had that opportunity to teach them about the joy of gardening and nature and to watch their wide-eyed wonder and excitement each step of the way. That was a great summer in our backyard!
