Involving my grandchildren

Last week, my 9 year old grandson brought home a small cabbage start, and was very proud of it...So...Grandpa went out and bought a six pack of the same variety and some garlic bulbs...Now he has his own little garden to look after. In the Spring, that small plot WILL grow a bit--hah hah hah...As long as any of my grandkids show an interest, I'll surely include them.My garden is plenty big to accomidate them all.

I tried to get my neice and nephew involved in gardening this year. They like planting seeds and seeing the growth, but getting them to help care for anything is another issue all on its own. They're happy to pick cucumbers and tomatoes, but Uncle Joe can handle the watering.

I had anticipated that lack of sustained interest, and will keep it small as he can handle without it becoming a drudge for him.....I plan to plant a tree for him, also.

LtlWilli said:

I had anticipated that lack of sustained interest, and will keep it small as he can handle without it becoming a drudge for him.....I plan to plant a tree for him, also.

Click to expand...

Peanuts are a hit with kids...

Cool stuff! You'll be making some wonderful memories.

When I was little my grandfather made a little plot in his garden for me. I thought it was the best thing in the world. He taught me alot about gardening and growing my own fruits and vegetables. I think it is a very valuable skill to teach. it shows a child respect for the earth, patients and so much more. It's a wonderful way to teach a child how to be self sufficient as well as giving back what you take.

I loved every moment of being in the garden with him. It was a great way for us to bond and spend time together while learning and having fun. I remember the first time I grew strawberries like it was yesterday.

You are awesome!

---Brings back memories, doesn't it?...He wasn't the gruff old fart everybody else thought of him.

LtlWilli said:

---Brings back memories, doesn't it?...He wasn't the gruff old fart everybody else thought of him.

Click to expand...

Yes, yes it does. I'm not sure if anyone ever thought he was an old fart lol or at least they hid it well from me if they did. He was a hard ass but to me. he was my hero and someone I looked up too very much. He set me on the path to become the man I am today. While he has been gone for some time, I know he would be proud of me and the man I've become.

Oh!...I was thinking along the lines of the book "Silas Marner", where the townspeople disliked him thoroughly, but he took a liking to a little girl.My grandpaw was almost like Silas, but was never hard on me...In fact, he was a delight...He would set to work with me, get "at ease", and begin to tell me funny stories from the family's past. I loved the man!

LtlWilli said:

Oh!...I was thinking along the lines of the book "Silas Marner", where the townspeople disliked him thoroughly, but he took a liking to a little girl.My grandpaw was almost like Silas, but was never hard on me...In fact, he was a delight...He would set to work with me, get "at ease", and begin to tell me funny stories from the family's past. I loved the man!

Click to expand...

I have been told that is a good read. I'll have to check it out. My grandfather was a hard ass but was very soft as well. He had a very fine balance of being both.

LtlWilli said:

I had anticipated that lack of sustained interest, and will keep it small as he can handle without it becoming a drudge for him.....I plan to plant a tree for him, also.

Click to expand...

Golden weeping willow of you have room for a large tree. I planted one with my son daughter. What's awesome is they grow super fast. And I mean fast. Ours was a sapling. Maybe 3 foot tall. Put in the ground and this summer was its second summer. Planted spring before last. It's almost 16 feet tall and 12 foot wide. And has a 6 inch wide base trunk on it now. It was maybe 2 inches wide at the base when planted it. But the golden weeping willow can get upwards of 50-60ft tall and 25-35 foot wide. And even bigger if they have a good flat spot and no obstructions for roots. Like in a field. We planted ours in the corner of the yard. So two side of it the roots will grow out of the bank where theres a ditch on both side. It air prunes them and wont let it to awful big bc of that. And you can take a branch toss it into a cup of water, and in 7-10 days its rooted. And you have a whole new tree. Weve cloned it 5 or 6 times. And planted them around our house. And the leaves and bark soaked in watermelon makes willow water. It excellent for rooting cuts of herb with. Speeds up rooting.