Easy to Grow Flowers
Grow flowers as easy as 1 – 2 -3
Looking for a great way to celebrate the return of spring with your kids? What could be better than planting a flower or two?
Before the growing begins
Before the planting frenzy is in full swing you should consider just a few things. Taking time to plan a bit before hand insures fun for all.
First of all decide why you are planning these floral friends. Flowers being planted strictly for the purpose of having an easy craft project to do with the kids don't require much forethought or explanation. If the plan calls for more, however, you'll need to set the ground rules first. For example; if the plan is to plant flowers and give them away on May Day, you will want to let little Timmy and Julie in on the secret so they don't wind up in tears when mean Mommy begins giving away all their pretty flowers.
Other preparations will need to made if the plan is to start the flowers indoors for eventual planting out doors. Some flowers do not do well outside and will not survive the move. Plan accordingly when you pick the seeds.
If you are planting outside from the get go, you will want to wait until the ground is free of the winter's chill and the threat of frost has past. This is usually around May in most states.
Get ready to sow
Once everyone is clear on the plans you are ready to plant. You will want to avoid mess by putting the planning area either outside of the house, or spreading out plenty of newspaper inside the house to catch any dirt that might migrate onto the table or floor. Next have the kids dig in, literally. Filling pots, egg cartons or paper cups with dirt is a fun, hands on memorable mess. Fill your chosen flower pots up to about a half an inch from the top.
Choose the seeds and place them into the soil. Kids love using their pudgy little fingers to punch a hole into the soil and then watch the seed disappear inside it. Help your children cover the seed gently and present their pots for the first watering.
Water is a key element, but too much of it can be a killer. Water slowly until the soil is moist. When checking the seeds for additional watering the next day, show your kids how to dig down just a little bit. Often the soil of the surface is bone dry, while the soil less than a quarter inch down is very moist.
Pick a winner
When planting with kids it is an especially good idea to choose seeds for flowers that are easy to grow. Starting off with roses might be great fun for the master gardener, but an exercise in frustration and disappointment for a five year old. It is wise to chose hardy flowers with quick germination times instead. Flowers that are easy and beautiful for children to grow include: sun flowers, pansies, marigolds, daiseys and cosmos.
