- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- twins today articles
- twins today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
A Four-step Approach to Gardening with Your Preteen
By Shel Franco
Oftentimes, family gardening would turn into hysterical moments, like the time when the Ardmore kids rigged the sprinklers to spray Mom and Dad. "We laughed a lot," says 24-year-old Danielle. "And we always ended our evenings in the garden with a bowl of ice cream at the kitchen table."
Time-Tested tips
You don't have to be a produce pro to benefit from a family garden. All you need is a bit of land and a bit of interest in the subject – and these time-tested tips from the Ardmore family:
1. Plan
- Make sure your plot gets plenty of sun and is not protected from the rain.
- Check the soil. Too much sand won't hold water; too much clay breeds fungus. A trip to your local gardening center can fix both.
- Decide what you want to grow.
2. Place 
- Divide your plot. You can do this evenly or according to the items you like the most. If you like tomatoes more than green peppers, leave twice the room for tomatoes.
- Don't forget to leave walking space in between each row of plants.
3. Plant
- Know your climate zone. Take a trip to your local garden center and ask about the planting season in your area.
- Refer to the seed packaging for details. Some annuals will need to be started indoors before planting.
