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What could be better than playing in the dirt?

Description:
Gardening can be a great together-time activity for your family.
Help your children plant a garden and you'll give them an appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. Get kids involved in everything from seed selection to planting to watering to weeding. Not only will they learn about the cycle of life firsthand, they'll develop a sense of pride and responsibility when they see the fruits of their labor.

Step by Step:

1. Pick an area at the edge of the yard to plant your garden, out of high-traffic zones.
2. Wear the proper gear, including gardening gloves, sunscreen, a hat, and long pants (to protect knees).
3. Begin by finding out which plants and flowers will grow best in your geographic location. (Make a visit to your local nursery or the library).
4. Be sure to teach your child the proper way to water plants. Morning or afternoon is usually the best time to water. And caution children not to drown the plants.
5. Kids love to pick what they've grown. After they do, let them help you cook dinner with the fresh ingredients.
6. Try experimenting with different types of gardens. For a vegetable garden try beans, radishes, lettuce, or cherry tomatoes. Herbs are a good choice for a family garden. They generally grow from late spring through fall, are easy to grow, and many of them are perennials. Plant several varieties: basil, chives, dill, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and cilantro. For a flower garden try marigolds, petunias, or impatiens.

Materials:
Hats
Gloves (for adults and children)
Gardening tools
Pots of various sizes
Seeds or young container plants
Potting soil

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