A great way to celebrate our unique planet is by planting a garden. Plants are amazing! We depend on them for the air we breathe and the food we eat. Planting a garden is a great way to explore science on an ongoing basis with your child. If space is an issue, I highly recommend the Earthbox or Earthbox Junior, both offering a compact and efficient way to grow a garden.
Before planting your garden, make a plan about what you're going to grow. Observe the location you wish to plant in. How much sun does it get? The answer to this question will determine your planting options. An amazing resource to help in your garden planning is Smart Gardener, available free.
When I first started my urban garden, I planted tomatoes, lemon basil, green peppers, carrots, parsley, and lettuce. I planted my garden in phases, starting in mid-April and lasting through to early October. Since then, I have added cucumbers, kale, spinach, and cilantro. Due to limited access to outside space, no more than three types of plants were growing at the same time. At harvest time, the container was aerated, compost was added, and new seedlings were planted.
Did you know. . .
If you cut the tops off leafy greens, leaving at least 2 inches at the bottom, the blade will grow back. This is true for lettuce, kale, chard, and many more leafy vegetables. Not only do you harvest some food, but you allow the plant to keep growing for at least one more additional harvest.
