Featured Article: Growing Memories

Growing Memories
By Carrie M.

One of my favorite things to do in the spring is plant our vegetable garden with my kids. This is a tradition my husband started with our family as he used to grow a vegetable garden with his mom as a kid. I have heard many stories about him and his mom going out to the garden with a salt shaker and eating tomatoes right off the vine. It is a wonderful way to spend time outside as well as teach them that our fruits and vegetables come from the ground, not just the grocery store. What better way to teach kids about the environment then playing in the dirt?

We started our garden in February with some seeds and a small greenhouse. This is a great way for kids to learn about how plants grow from a tiny seed to a giant (and yummy) plant. Getting them involved from the beginning not only makes them feel involved in something fun but it helps them take ownership in the care for "their" plants. When the weather starts warming up we start getting our soil ready. This is a favorite for my kids because this is when they get to play in the dirt and find lots of critters. Worms and roley polies can entertain a young child for hours. This is also a great learning opportunity for me to teach them why worms are wonderful to have in a garden. Once the soil is ready we plant our seedlings that we started inside and plant some other seeds right in the soil. 

Every day we go out to the garden to see how our plants are doing. WE make sure they have enough water, do some weeding and see if anything is ready to eat. Last year, Case (5 1/2) helped me plant strawberry plants along our garden fence. I am happy to report that no strawberries made it in the house. When my kids plant and pick the vegetables in the garden, they want to eat them. If you have picky eaters, this is a great way to get them to try new things. They all have their favorite things to eat in the garden, so a lot of our harvest doesn't make it in the house. Since they love to eat things right off the vine, I learned many ways to garden without pesticides and growth hormones.

A garden is one of the best ways to teach life lessons on nature, nutrition, responsibility, and God's gifts to us. As my kids grow, so does their love for our garden. Each year they all get a little more involved with our garden. Whether you have acres to work with or a 4x4 area the possibilities are endless. I encourage everyone to take some time to play in the dirt with their kids this spring. You will grow more than just plants, you will grow lifelong memories with your kids. Happy Spring!

Originally printed in the March 2014 MOPS newsletter.