Unless you live on a farm, it can be difficult to have your
children understand exactly where their food comes from. Many children’s only
connection to food is through grocery stores and restaurants, and in turn they
may not realize that everything we eat comes from the ground beneath our feet.
Of course, it is extremely important that our little ones
understand the source of our food in order to gain a sense of appreciation for
the world around us all, and to understand how much work must go into creating what
we eat. And there is no better way to help your children learn about the source
of food than by starting a small backyard of your own. Here are a few simple
ways to get started on this project that can be turned into a fun family
activity for all:
Pick a Place to Plant
Many people believe that starting a garden may be a
backbreaking and grueling task, requiring a significant amount of land.
Truthfully though, all you need is some (healthy) soil and a few seeds to get
started. You can pick a small plot of soil in the backyard, or, if there isn’t
enough space, fill a pot with some soil instead.
Be Diligent About
Watering and Weeding
This is where most of the work comes in: as a family, once
you have placed the seeds, you must monitor the plants each day and provide
them with adequate water to make sure that they have enough nutrients to
survive (this is doubly important if you live in an extremely dry climate). Also, if you chose to place your seeds in a
pot, make sure that they get plenty of sunlight throughout the day – although
some vegetables, like leafy greens, may thrive without constant light, others,
like tomatoes, will not come to fruition.
Along with this, make sure to keep an eye out for weeds with
the children, as they can steal much needed nutrients, water, and light from
the plants nearby.
Watch the Plants Grow
and Have Some Fun
Once you get the basics of starting a garden, you may be
surprised at how quickly the plants will grow, and the delicious rewards that
you will reap when the time comes. Along with this, you may see a change in
your children, as they begin to understand the hard work and effort that goes
into producing just a few vegetables.
Gardening doesn’t just have to be hard work though – if you
make sure your child has the new John Deere Monster Treads RC Tractor
farm toy, they will have something to play with if they get bored. This great
John Deere tractor farm toy has off-road capability and can travel over
virtually any terrain that gets in its way.
Spend some time with your kids this year learning about the
earth and all of the wonderful things it gives us all. And if you want to have
fun while planting a beautiful garden, follow these simple tips, grab a new
John Deere tractor toy, and watch as your delicious vegetables grow.