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Success with a Kid's Garden
© Linda Mazar
Jul 1, 1999
Gardening isn't always easy. If you are new to gardening, it can be hard to have success with a garden project. This can be discouraging for you and the kids. It can prevent families from attempting a garden the next year. The good news is that there are a few tricks of the trade that can help make your kid's garden a success. This can make everyone happier and make gardening a lot more fun.
Test your Soil - Many people get discouraged about gardening because they plant into the poor soil that is unbalanced in pH and mineral content. To get to know your soil have your soil tested through your county extension service. This test will tell you what your soil's pH level is so that you can either grow plants appropriate to your levels or work toward obtaining a more desirable level for what you want to grow. Different plants have different requirements, but most prefer neutral to slightly acidic soils. The soil test will also reveal any minerals that are lacking. Some extension services give a computer read-out that will state how much of specific additives should be mixed into the soil to make it fertile. Also, spend the extra money to have your soil tested for lead so that you will know whether you need to take precautions for your family's health. Augment your Soil - You can count on your soil needing more organic matter. Sandy soil, clay, or loam can all be improved by the addition of organic matter such as compost (start a compost pile), peat moss, sawdust (from a mill? Add extra nitrogen if used), manure (collected from a local farm?), etc. Organic matter helps sandy soils to hold more moisture. It helps clay soil loosen up for better drainage and to supply more oxygen to the plant roots. In all soils it provides nutrients so that plants can grow and be healthy. Use Soaker Hoses - To make watering the garden easy in hot, dry weather, soaker hoses are a big help. To get them to lie nicely in place, we use "garden staples" as new hoses shift and often don't lay flat. If you use the snap-on hose hookups, it makes it even faster and easier. Always remember to water in the morning or early evening when the cool water won't be a big shock to the plants. We often set the kitchen timer so that we will remember to turn off the water.
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The copyright of the article Success with a Kid's Garden in Gardening with Children is owned by Linda Mazar. Permission to republish Success with a Kid's Garden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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