Graduated Gardening

Starting seeds indoors is fun and a good learning tool, but sometimes you just need instant tah dah! Here’s where I turn to forcing bulbs, especially ones that already have a bit of flower coming up.

My little guy had fun taking hyacinths and plopping them in a cup of rocks for a little windowsill decoration near his play table. They can help scoop the rocks into the cup and pour the water so they really own the project. Just be sure the water only skims the bottom of the bulbs. Otherwise they may rot.

We had hyacinth on hand from my own forcing attempts, but this can be done with tulips, daffodils and crocus to name a few. Older children may want to plant several varieties and track their growth for a late winter project.

Note to self: Know your plants.
In my impatience for a little greenery, I happily started several seeds indoors. This included scarlet runner beans for the little guy. The plan is to add them to a teepee structure we put up a few weeks ago.
Many of the seedlings are going crazy indoors, yet it’s not quite warm enough to plant outside. That includes the little guy’s runner bean.

For now they’re serving as a living screen at the window in front of his work table. He likes to touch the vines and tries to smell them, as he does with all plants. These eventually will be placed outside, where hopefully they’ll put on lovely red flowers. I read that these will also attract hummingbirds. Unexpected bonus!

One word of caution: when planting scarlet, be careful that a bean isn’t eaten. Apparently the dappled beans are toxic unless thoroughly cooked. According an article at “Were You Wondering,” it only takes five raw beans to be harmful.

The little guy is big into a new tricycle he got for Christmas. After one of his many requests to go for a ride, I switched things up a bit and headed to a nearby wildlife corridor that is also the site of the city’s largest colony of Blue Herons.  The birds make their nests there from February through July or August, but sadly none was spotted this day. It was an opportunity to introduce him to an urban wildlife habitat, though, and let him explore plants of a scale not in our garden. This well-established Heather was a big hit, making a shaker noise every time he brushed his hand through it. I wish we had one in our yard of this size!

Our outing also served as a reminder to be diligent in teaching that he should never touch or eat anything without my permission, especially outside and in gardens. This delicious looking temptation was mixed in with english ivy and hanging over a fence along the sidewalk. It’s likely climbing nightshade, sometimes called bittersweet, and is known to be a thug in the garden and toxic to pets and children. That’s thumbs down in my book. I’ve read that pets will usually avoid, and because it isn’t really tasty like it looks, the little ones won’t eat enough to do real harm. But who wants that risk?

So off we went to our wildlife destination, Kiwanis Ravine. The demonstration site gives visitors a chance to see ongoing forest restoration, and features interpretive signs that detail the sloping ravine and dry upland areas. The space was donated to the city in 1950 by the Kiwanis Club, and more area was added in 1980 through public efforts. The ravine was one of 30 areas mapped out as a “green space” under a 1993 policy aimed at preserving natural habitat, according to Seattle Parks and Recreation. The law also sought to mitigate noise and air pollution, reduce the need for man-made storm water systems and preserve natural drainage.

I’m sorry to say I hadn’t been in this area before, although I’ve walked by. Perhaps I was deterred because I had the dogs, which I for sure wasn’t taking into a heron sanctuary! There’s nothing like a child to freshen up the routine, though. It’s just another reminder to never stop exploring plants and wildlife, because we all can learn a little something, regardless of age or expertise.

The challenge of gardening with toddlers is making sure they don’t take out the plants. I’m happy my little guy is showing some real interest in the seedlings we started, but he can be a bit over-zealous with his attentions.

It’s a good exercise in patience when gardening with the really little ones. They’re extremely curious but don’t know their own strength. That means either having to be quick to deflect damage or just roll with it. Plant extra seeds to account for crop loss. I try to remember that, in a way, right now he’s just as delicate as those little seedlings.

This is an opportunity to teach how to be gentle or careful. My little guy is just that … little. They’re enthusiastic and do everything with 110 percent energy. So it’s fun to see him interact with the plants, carefully brushing the beet seedlings with pudgy fingers or pressing his wrinkled up nose into the tiny thyme. I admit, I’m really proud when he gets it. And if he doesn’t, I divert his attention … usually at the cat’s expense. Sorry Milo.

The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is over but ideas planted from its displays are just now germinating. OK, way cheesy, but I do have a few projects that will benefit the little guy and his mom, thanks to the show. The big daddy of plans is this little rooftop garden seen in “At the Water’s Edge.” I believe it is displayed as a doghouse but it would make a sweet little play area. And it would satisfy my desire to create such a garden. Maybe I can sweet talk the little guy’s daddy into building this along with a tiny little greenhouse for his lovely wife. Too much you think?

On a much smaller scale was the mini compost bin. It was the subject of Melinda Myers’ seminar “Grow Your Own Worms” held Saturday in Sproutopia, an area for children to romp and play. This is a way simple project to start. We grabbed a plastic bag, tossed in some slightly moist shredded paper, then soil and finally worms. We’re on day 3 in the bag and the slithery friends have already been gobbling up the lettuce and fruit pulp we’ve given them. A worm bin can be as extravagant as you like, but I think we’ll likely start with a Rubbermade box or two. Be sure to check back for that project and more!

All in all, the family enjoyed the garden show. It was a chance for me to feast on some lovely gardens and introduce the little guy to another world of gardening. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning.

I loaded up the little guy and took him to the 21st annual Northwest Flower & Garden Show. Unfortunately this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for him since the show’s owner, Duane Kelly, has decided this will be its last year. The little guy was content to hang out in the toddler pack on my back while I rushed around scanning the displays. He did enjoy one garden path lined with hyacinths, tulips and lilies, however. It was a chance for him to interact a bit more than just looking. After all, he’s used to digging in dirt when in the garden.

I knew I was on borrowed time and that the clock was ticking toward nap-thirty. Ultimately, he gave me about an hour. It was fun to take him, but he’ll be with dad this weekend when I can really gorge myself on the gardens. That’s also when there will be gardening workshops for children.

Children are curious creatures, which makes them perfect gardeners. They also like to have their own place to hole up and pretend all kinds of worlds are at their fingertips.

One way to provide a hideout and foster imagination that is to build a bean teepee. recently made one for our little guy in a matter of 15 minutes.

Materials used:
5 - 6′ garden poles, green (bamboo also works)
1 zip-tie or twine
hammer

Note I used only five poles, but I didn’t need a large structure since my munchkin is still little. You can make this as large as you wish, opting for more, longer poles for a bigger teepee.

I spread the poles out in a circular pattern, three feet in diameter and leaving one side a bit more open for easier access. Holding them near the top and pounded each one in about one foot. I used a ziptie because it’s quicker but a more natural material would be jute twine. For a shot of color use some funky yarn or strips of cloth.

In a matter of minutes the teepee took shape. Then it was up to my little guy to get the walls started.

We’re going to use Scarlet Runner Beans because I enjoy how they look. You could also use green beans, peas or even flowers like morning glory.

Plant 2 or 3 plants around each pole. This will ensure the “walls” of the teepee are filled in. You can also get creative with some shade tolerant ground cover like Irish moss or wooly thyme.

Like other children, the more my little guy can do on his own, the happier he is. Planting things like peas or beans is quick and mostly easy, save the mess. But getting dirty is half the fun. Planting seeds also will provide teaching lessons down the road and it’s fun for him to watch this little seed he puts in a cup grow into a big ol’ plant.