Garden with the Kids!

Dear families and kids,

With many schools on full or partial distance learning, I started thinking of some projects, to get outside with the kids, engage with your garden, and get your hands dirty!

There are many great school garden/science websites available online. I am also happy to share what I know, and talk with you and your kids about what is happening in the garden.

This is a great time to get winter veggies started. You can start them from seed, or buy starts at the nursery. The warm weather gives the plants a good growth spurt, and, as the days get shorter, and the rains begin, collards, kale and carrots grow sweet and lush. Most winter crops like rich loose, well drained soil. For this reason, I recommend using raised planter boxes, and fill them with a good quality organic planting mix. I usually use American Soil product. I have had really good results with 'Walt Whitman'

Our local soil tends to be heavy, and on the alkaline side of the PH scale. This make root growth and nitrogen uptake difficult. Leafy plants, especially, need lots of nitrogen.

Peas, radish, mustard and arugula are all quick to germinate.

An old potato that is tuning green, and sprouting, could be planted, and in a few months produce enough little potatoes for a whole family meal! You can even fill a wire trash can with soil and mulch, and grow some potatoes in that!