From breakfast to dinner and lunchboxes to kid-friendly snacks. How do you keep it fun for kids in the kitchen?
One way to welcome spring is by starting an indoor window garden! It can be a fun (and inexpensive!) way to get kids involved. Some things that are pretty easy to grow are herbs. Look for seeds that are labeled easy for kids to grow.Herbs that are great for window planting!Basil, Coriander, Chives, Parsley, Sage, Dill, and Fennel are just some of the ones that are out there.What you’ll need: (1) Seeds or baby herb plants.(2) You can go to the local nursery and buy containers OR try recycling old pots, plastic containers and add a few drainage holes.(3) Soil & a little water (herbs do best when soil is moist!). If you buy the seeds- read the directions and follow!(4) Labels: names and pictures are fun ways for kids to learn words too(5) Sunshine! A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal.Optional: Get crafty! Kids love to paint and decorate clay pots. Do it outside if weather permits. What to do:(1) Make sure that you have two parts of the plant container. The first piece will hold the actual soil and seeds/plant. This piece should to have holes for water drainage. The second container (such as a saucer) should be there to hold that excess water when the first container is draining. (2) If you buy the seeds- follow directions. Add soil. Water so soil is moist. (3) Dig a little hole in the wet soil. Add seeds to container and cover. (4) Put by the sunniest and warmest window in the house. Tip: Use your fresh herbs in recipes! Snip your herbs often as regular cutting will encourage growth and ensure a long life. I love fresh herbs over potatoes, pizzas, and even meats! Use foods kids love like the pizza, maybe meat loaf, and yes- even French fries! There are plenty of recipes where fresh herbs are great! Also, more recipes could be found here.Other Ideas: (1) Ready to move on to growing something bigger than herbs? Try growing fruits “If you have oranges, lemons, grapefruit or tangerines around the house, let the children start some of the seeds. About six seeds should be placed in each pot of soil. Then, when the seeds begin to grow, they can be thinned out and transplanted, with only one seed per pot. The bright, glossy foliage is rather attractive in the home.”http://www.humeseeds.com/kids.htm (2)Avocados are fun to grow also! http://www.avocado.org/about/growing-avocado(3) I thought this was a helpful article on growing tomatoes indoors! http://frugal.families.com/blog/growing-tomatoes-indoors (4) I thought this was clever! Look how this guy uses pop bottles for indoor garden holders. http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenscaper/sets/72157604735985648/Sources: http://www.lucygardens.com/windowsill-herb-garden.htmlDo you have an indoor garden already? If so, what are you growing and what are your tips and tricks to getting the kids involved?
My daughter just asked for a herb garden. I was thinking about getting her a "kit" to put in her Easter Basket. I figured this would be better than a bunch of candy - something she wanted and we could enjoy together!
Can you post a photo? I have started pole beans tomatoes and peas. I grow them on my sun porch. I would share with you a picture of my stuff but the site wont allow me. Any help on this?
thanks flourman
IF I CAN'T DO IT--IT CAN'T BE DONE!
Hi flourman:
Let's start with the good news. Picture sharing is in the works for the community. There is a few phases of site and community upgrades coming this year. (The first one should be happening in the next couple of months). Once I have confirmed dates on when you and the community can expect them- I will be talking about them here in the community!
If you already have the garden photo on Flickr- or twitpic (or whatever it may be!)- put the URL in your post so we can see it.
There is also a group on Flickr- called Betty Crocker Food - so if you want to share your photos through that group and link them here- that is an option also.
So, soon you will be able to cut out the middle man (of other photo sharing sites)- until then, I am curious what your garden looks like- and love that you want to share it with us.
BTW- did you see this recent gardening related news?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102748047&ft=1&f=1052
Hehehe- I wonder what that script looked like?
Sincerely, Cate
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