Adventures in Food
Why bad gardening is good for your kids
My basil grower
It’s no secret that I’m a lousy gardener. I really want to be able to grow more veggies. Hey, I’d even settle for a decent herb garden (yes, I’ve heard over and over again–they’re sooo easy). But it seems the only thing I can turn out from seeds are little tiny stalks that die within a week, same goes for plants that I buy and try to keep going. What am I doing wrong?
Well my kids have noticed my lack of skills. And commented.
This year I’ve been a bit determined not to grow a garden. My kids have
Decorating the pot--an important part of planting
decided otherwise. They’ve convinced me yet again to try growing herbs–but this time the only help I’m supposed to give is opening the blinds in the morning–and taking pictures. That’s it. My two youngest daughters have already informed me that they’ll be the ones watering the plants and looking after them (if only this worked with the laundry too!).
While I truly wish that I could grow something, anything really, my inabilities might just turn out a couple of real gardeners. After all, my kids know they can’t rely on my help if they want to see some green. Well the
Looking good so far...
coming weeks will tell if our indoor planted seeds continue to grow. I’m hoping that the seeds do turn into full-grown plants we can put outside or even replant in a larger pot. I have noticed that my youngest is a bit too generous with watering, but hey, what do I know?
I was happy to see while flipping through Motherboard‘s Easy Ways to Go Green, wouldn’t you know #9 is planting a garden with your kids. If all goes well I might even try their suggestion of growing from cucumber seeds or I’ve always wanted to grow my own chile peppers (I heart serranos!).
Your turn–have your lack of skills ever worked out in your favor? Or do you have any gardening tips to share with this wannabe green queen?
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about 2 years ago
I’m a total novice gardener, but I try, OH I try!
about 2 years ago
This is my fourth full growing season with a small, hobby greenhouse. Having success with various kinds of plants is a real learning process. I wish I could report otherwise, but even in a greenhouse it isn’t easy.
For example, the first year, I had ZERO female flowers on any of my squash (three varieties). And, without girl flowers, there are no fruits.
My one HUGE success though is a rosemary plant that overwinters inside and grows like crazy in the summer in the greenhouse. I used to kill rosemary like no one else, but this plant just keeps going and going.
I’m also quite good with spinach and kale, but not root veggies or peppers.
about 2 years ago
Rosemary–now that’s a good idea. My mom has a plant that grows like a weed too. (That’s the kind of plants I like, I guess, those that grow like weeds, but aren’t)
about 2 years ago
You, a novice?! I’m always inspired by your blog posts.
about 2 years ago
Oh, honey. You’ve got to TRY! Peppers are super, super easy as long as you’ve got a sunny spot and can grow in a POT for goodness sake. If serranos are what you love, go spend a few bucks on an already started plant at the nursery. One plant will prevent countless purchases/grocery store runs/plastic bags. Add a tomato in a pot to the mix, and you might even gain enough time for a nap!
about 2 years ago
I can’t grow anything either. I have one of those Aerogrow things in the basement. Of the 8 herbs, only two grew – basil and parsley. It’s something I guess. I would like an outdoor herb garden though.
about 2 years ago
I think it’s wonderful that your kids have taken the initiative to do something that you’re not quite as good at! Dh gardens so I don’t have to…phew. I’m crossing my fingers for the herbs to make it!
about 2 years ago
Loved this post. I wish I had given a love for gardening to my kids! I have discovered that the local garden center allows me to cut corners and plant seedlings. They do better than the seeds I also seem to kill before they sprout.
about 2 years ago
You can be proud of your kids–even if their motivation is to show they can do something Mom can’t do! And they aren’t even teens yet, when they get infinitely smarter than you.
about 2 years ago
I remember doing things like this as a kid in science class. Why, oh why, didn’t it sink in and help me as an adult? I, too, am woefully bad at succeeding at growing things. I think, though, it’s a matter of getting the right light. We live in the woods and the trees block out a lot of the sunlight I (and the plants) crave. Hope your kid’s experiment yields some good results!
about 2 years ago
I have big plans for tomatoes…I grew them once and really, they were not difficult. Your post is inspiring me to try again!
about 2 years ago
I mostly tend to my flower/herb garden while hubby and the kids do the veggie garden. For flowers, my tip is to plant lots of perennials – I love the low maintenance factor of plants coming up every year on their own.
about 2 years ago
This is the first year I’m trying everything from seed instead of copping out with seedlings from the local farmstand. I think we’ll both need all the luck we can get!
about 2 years ago
Oh, definitely a novice, but I’m willing to give things a go.
Frugal Man’s folks owned a nursery biz for all their working life. They can name any plant you can think of, common and Latin, when to plant, what soil, it like, common varieties and any other info you might like. Me, most days I’m pretty sure which end of a plant goes in the ground. Most days.
about 2 years ago
I think you’re right that I often don’t put the plants somewhere with the right lighting.
about 2 years ago
So I’ve heard. I’m wondering if I should try one of those hanging upside down tomato plants.
about 2 years ago
I like this idea!
about 2 years ago
Good for you. And yes, I’ll need a little luck.
about 2 years ago
Wow! That’s so cool.
about 2 years ago
I love gardening but I fear I’m not very good at it either. I was when we had full sun and lived in Atlanta (that year was amazing — overflowing with delicious things like tomatoes) but I haven’t quite figured out our yard or the strange southern Oregon weather (it frosts here quite late b/c we are at altitude so the timing can be tricky…)
about 2 years ago
Lettuce is very forgiving. I’m a plant killer, too, but I seem to be able to grow lettuce from seed. Basil is also forgiving. Good luck!
about 2 years ago
I wish, wish I could grow Basil. I had a friend in New York who couldn’t stop. We’ll see how it goes…
about 2 years ago
Sounds like the altitude would be tricky–and timing the growing with frosts.