04.19.07
Spring is in bloom on my kitchen windowsill-
I love winter, please don't get me wrong but as soon as the warm weather hits, we get excited thinking about fresh vegetables and pretty flowers for our garden. A tradition we look forward to every year is our windowsill garden. We head to the nearest supercenter for potting soil, miniature pots and seeds. At home, we plant the delicate seeds, add a little water, cover them with clear wrap (or clear plastic cups work too) and wait for the seeds to sprout. Each day we add just a little more water (and love) and within just a few weeks the new little seedlings pop up.
What better way to develop a love of nature than by encouraging your child's fascination with gardening. Children love planting seeds, watching them grow and harvesting what they have produced. Nurturing a plant also helps kids learn to nurture themselves while teaching responsibility through caring for their plants. Without a doubt, they will definitely enjoy the special time they get to spend with you.
On our windowsill greenhouse this year we have lavender (a birthday gift from my sister), forget-me-nots (my grandmother's favorite flower) and patio tomatoes (because the are packed with vitamin C and are just the right size for little mouths). Each will live on our windowsill and then be transplanted when the danger of frost subsides. But your windowsill garden does not have to be limited to outdoor plants and flowers; herbs are a good choice to plant indoors for children..and they grow very fast!
If you decide to transplant outdoors, let your kids help dig in the dirt! I have found some great kits to help your little gardener get started. These kids' gardening kits include all the kid-sized tools your child will need. Or a less expensive alternative may be an old kitchen spoon for digging and measuring cups for scoops.
We have been waiting for Spring all year and it is finally here! Enjoy the wonder of nature with your kids.
