Gardens make a lovely addition to any yard, no matter how big or small it is. What makes a garden extra special, though, is one that’s created by a family working together. Gardening as a family allows you to bond and to create something beautiful that you can enjoy for years to come.
For those who live in rural areas, your gardening options are wide and can be quite extensive depending on the money you have available to you.
One gardening idea that you may want to consider is a butterfly or hummingbird garden. By planting flowers and bushes that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds, you can liven up your yard and teach your children about the different kinds of butterflies and hummingbirds that are native to your area.
Another great gardening idea is raised-bed gardens. I had two in my front yard that were home to two beautiful rhododendron plants. Sadly, one was torn to pieces recently after my neighbor’s cattle got loose. Before that, though, they made a lovely addition to our lawn area, especially when they were in full bloom.
Perhaps the most exciting garden a family can have is a water garden complete with a waterfall. Not only do they make a lovely, peaceful addition to any yard, they also draw in various birds, animals, amphibians and insects. However, they can require quite a bit of maintenance.
For those who live in populated areas, like the city, it can be hard to find places to grow a garden since space is limited. However, even those of you with limited space have some options available to you, like miniature fruit trees or berry bushes. A small patio or porch looks adorable with miniature blueberry bushes growing on them. When the berries are ripe, you and your children can pick them and then make some blueberry muffins together.
Another option for those with limited space is window boxes or containers, which can be cared for quite easily. You could plant a variety of brightly colored flowers in them that will attract insects and birds.
One thing to remember before you undertake any gardening project is to make sure that you have the proper gardening tools on hand, like shovels, hoes, rakes, hand gardening tools, gloves, sunblock, watering cans, water hoses, etc.
If money is tight, a simple spoon can work well for your little ones. I should know. My brother and I swiped more spoons from my mom’s kitchen drawer than I can count.
And don’t forget, as you work on your garden together, make sure to take the time to snap photos. Once printed out, you can make a scrapbook of your family gardening adventures.