When we moved to the suburbs 13 years ago, I was so intimidated by gardening. Surely you had to be an “expert” to actually grow anything. I’ve learned to be patient, to experiment, and that gardening takes time. I have learned the hard way about bugs that eat tomato plants, what happens when you go away for a week in July and forget to have a neighbor water, and the joy of finding various animals trying to find their way in. Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means the queen of green, but I find that when I take on something small I can usually manage it for the season.
Recently my 9 year-old daughter expressed an interest in doing some gardening together. In anticipation of warm weather ahead, I’ve pulled together a list of easy gardening ideas that I’m hopeful that she (and maybe you!) will enjoy trying.
This is a great post on this topic from The Contractor Chronicles.
As they point out, mason jars are attractive and affordable. Enjoy fresh herbs all summer long!
2. Grow tomato plants in containers.
Here’s a brief and easy tutorial about getting this going. You can do it on your deck or patio, or wherever you have lots of sunlight!
Zinnias are brilliant in color, and among the easiest flowers to grow from seeds. Try them in cans or pots, and transfer them to your garden if you wish.
Blueberries don’t take up a lot of space to grow and can be used for a variety of things: fresh on your cereal, in muffins or pies, or made into jam. This quick video from Living Traditionally will tell you what you need to know.
5. Make your own hanging baskets.
Hangingbaskets.com sells everything you need to make your own stunning hanging baskets. No need to spend a fortune year in and year out on baskets at the local garden center! You can easily do this yourself, and have fun mixing and matching colors.
6. Learn how to grow an indoor kitchen garden from The Empress Of Dirt.
Do you want to grow year-round or maybe you just can’t stand the sun? An indoor garden meants beating the heat, working in a smaller space, and less mess. The Empress of Dirt has a great post about how to grow inside. If you have extra time, be sure to read her article with tips for the beginner gardener.
Mom Prepares has a great post about tips for growing green beans. They are delicious raw or steamed, and you can even can them for enjoyment during colder months.
8. Design your own annual display.
Whats Ur Homestory has gorgeous photos of arrangements made in galvanized buckets. Use what you have at home though. Maybe you have some old pots or baskets lying around. Head to your local nursery and pick out some annuals, some good potting soil, and annual plant food. Water them as soon as you plan them, keep in the sun, and dead head them regularly.
Happy gardening!
