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Growing a Family Garden Missouri

What makes gardening the perfect family activity? "Dirt!" shouts a gleeful Ely, 4, who always manages to find an excuse to dig when it's his turn to water the marigolds.

Local Companies

The Family Conservancy
(913) 342-1110
626 Minnesota Ave
Kansas City, MO
Local Investment Commission
(816) 889-5050
3100 Broadway, Ste. 1100
Kansas City, MO
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City-Administrative Office
(816) 361-3600
6301 Rockhill Rd., Ste. 303
Kansas City, MO
Junior Achievement of Middle America
(816) 561-3558
4049 Pennsylvania Ave., Ste. 150
Kansas City, MO
Smiles Change Lives
(816) 421-4949
2405 Grand Blvd., Ste. 300
Kansas City, MO
Mud Pies & Butterflies Daycare
417-624-3546
822 B Connecticut Ave
Joplin, MO
Exploration Station Childcare and Preschool
417-781-1908
3132 East 12 Off of 7th street
joplin, MO
A Child's Garden Inc
(816) 455-6450
300 Ne 58th Ter
Gladstone, MO
BrighStar KidCare
314-837-1100
925 N. Lindberg Blvd.
Florissant, MO
Wilderness Retreat & Development Center
34030W.204thSt.
34030 W. 204th St.
Kansas City, MO

By Pamela Stock

What makes gardening the perfect family activity? "Dirt!" shouts a gleeful Ely, 4, who always manages to find an excuse to dig when it's his turn to water the marigolds. His grandmother, Susan, is more philosophical: "It's exciting to watch something you've planted flourish under your care."

Cultivating a family garden -- be it vegetables, flowers or an arrangement of potted plants on the patio -- has something for everyone. Adults get the satisfaction of beautifying their surroundings, and young kids get to play in the dirt. Everyone gets to enjoy the thrill of success, watching the flowers bloom or the vegetables ripen. Plus, it's an excuse for the whole family to be outside together, without having to jump in the car.

Here are some tips on starting a family garden.

  • Look up, look down
    Determining what to plant depends both on how much sunlight you get and what type of soil (rich or sandy, for instance) you have. Read the plant cards and discuss what will grow best for you with the staff at your local garden supply store.

  • Everyone gets a plant
    Let each family member choose a plant or to call his own -- and to care for. Note: Some parents panic if a child's special plant isn't faring well and will even replace a dying one. Others talk to kids first about the possibilities that plants don't always grow, and say that the kids aren't as disappointed as parents fear. Remember too, while there are a few special plants, the whole garden is shared.

  • Assign age-appropriate jobs and tools
    Young kids can hold the hose or watering can, older kids can tie vines to stakes and EVERYONE gets to hunt for ripe tomatoes and strawberries. Gardening shovels can be sharp, but small children can dig with plastic shovels.

  • Dressing up is part of the fun
    My son wears his rain boots and plastic construction hat every time he heads outside with a watering can, which adds to the festivity. Wear sun hats.

  • Add art
    Your kids can decorate the garden with found stones (painted, if you like) or pieces of broken flower pots to make the garden their own. Similarly, you can make your own garden stakes by painting wooden dowels or gluing pieces of rock to them.

  • Keep it simple
    If the kids burn out on some of the maintenance the green thumb in the family insists on, let them play in other parts of the yard. Gardening should be fun, not a chore.

    To learn more visit Real Families Real Fun

    • Featured Local Company

    The Family Conservancy

    9133421110
    626 Minnesota Ave
    Kansas City, MO
    Read more about Growing a Family Garden

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