Besides growing a garden for food, I like growing a garden for the enjoyment it gives to others. Most kids who come over are fascinated by the veggies they see growing all around them. Some kids don't even know how veggies are grown. They never get the chance to pick peas off a vine, or pull carrots out of the ground. I like to tell the kids that I grow purple carrots and watch their faces as they try to process what purple carrots look like! Most kids, unfortunately, only see produce in grocery stores. And I am here to tell you, you aren't going to find purple dragon carrots at Dillons. Nor will you find Moon and Stars watermelon, or zebra striped tomatoes.
After kids have a minute to think about purple carrots, they start asking a million questions. Why are they purple? How do they become purple? Why haven't I seen them before? Where do they come from? Do they taste different? I am happy to help kids learn about gardening and to venture outside to find veggies you don't get at Dillons.
Baby Avie!
KK looks like she is thinking "don't let her pick that flower!!"
Fairy garden. Those dang fairies are sprinkling grass seeds in the garden beds at night. I am sure of it!
The girls are building a "fort". The pine tree has been dead for many years and the bark is peeling off in big sheets. So the girls are pulling off big hunks and proping it up against twigs to enclose a space under a weed/bush that got out of control. They like to sit in there and read and play in the dirt.
Water works!
Dang kids, I am trying to water.
Ok fine. If you want water, I'm going to give you water.
Mom= 0
Kids= winning!
In other gardening news, we had our first pea harvest!
Potatoes that started in the compost pile. Doing good so far!
Squash blossoms
first cherry tomatoes, first tomatoes period!
Previously mentioned purple dragon carrots
Finally, look at all those cucumber blooms!!
You are a full MONTH a head of my garden! Thanks for the peek at what I have to look forward to! Now, if I can only get my kids to have as much fun as yours are having....
ReplyDeleteSame as Cathryn here, not too much to look at yet. Your photos are so fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, a loud AMEN to the enjoyment of seeing the wonder on visitor's faces, and to answering their questions... for planting that "seed" of the desire to garden. I believe it's deep inside each of us.
Your garden is coming along so great :) It's fun to live vicariously with the KinderGARDENers in other climates (i.e. who have plants and harvests right now, instead of... dirt) Purple carrots are excellent! I think they're not supposed to taste 'different' but I think they're sweeter.
ReplyDeleteIt's all getting so big and lush! What lucky girls. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your purple carrots! I tried to grow them last year, but the slugs ate them all.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful smiles on the kiddos. :)
Oh the peas look wonderful! I love how you put sharing your garden with other kids. I so agree and it's fun to see them get so excited to tend it while they're visiting. Hopefully we're lighting the spark in many others. And I want to try purple carrots next year.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun afternoon! fun pics of the girls having a blast. :)
ReplyDeletethe garden looks wonderful! looking forward to seeing your purple carrots!