Success with a Kid's Garden

Mulch - Mulching the garden is a big help for conserving water and keeping weeds down. This year we mulched my son's garden with straw as it works well as a floor in his bean teepee as well as keeping the garden from drying out quickly. We put the mulch on top of the soaker hose to keep the water in. Last year we didn't mulch his garden and the weeds were plentiful. This year we expect that the weeds will be greatly reduced by the thick straw mulch.

Try Corn Gluten Meal - Corn Gluten Meal is a new natural product that is supposed to help prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Do not put it on a bed until after all your planted seeds have sprouted and the seedlings are going strong or it may kill them as well. Corn Gluten Meal isn't perfect, but supposedly over time, it can really cut down on the weeds. I like the fact that it is safe for the kids and the environment. We are trying it this year along with the straw mulch and hope to have much fewer weeds this year. It is available at feed stores and some garden centers.

I hope these suggestions help your family have a successful garden this year and in future years. Using these tips should make your experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Good luck and Happy Gardening!

© Linda Mazar

Go To Page: 1 2