SPRINGTIME SURPRISE
In the fall purchase a variety of bulbs.
Let each child design her own marker to be laminated or covered with clear contact paper.
Mix the bulbs and allow each child to select one.
Help each child plant and mark her own bulb.
(These can either be planted in a special plot or along a fence row. Any sunny location where the markers will survive the winter will work fine.)
In the spring encourage the children to observe as their plant grows and share their anticipation and surprise as each flower blossoms
THEME GARDENS
(these are some of the many ideas found in Hollyhocks and Honeybees)
SENSORY GARDEN
Taste: This garden should focus on plants that can be tasted as soon as they are picked.. Herbs work well because of the many varieties. (Mint is great but should be planted in a contained pot to avoid it taking over your garden.) Include some berries if possible and also some edible flowers such as pansies, nasturtiums and violets.
Touch: Choose plants that are fuzzy, prickly or spongy such as lamb�s ear, dusty miller, cockscomb and different varieties of sedum. Prickly plants such as roses or cactus are good but should be placed in a spot toward the back of the garden to avoid accidental contact.
Smell: Herbs work well here too, as well as highly fragrant flowers.
Sight: The bright blossoms of tulips, zinnias, marigolds, geraniums and mums will create a visual effect that can be enjoyed by the children from early spring until late fall.
DYE GARDEN
Plants that can be used to make dyes are marigolds, coreopsis, zinnia, cosmos, dahlias, tansy, indigo and blackberries. Plant close to a large boulder and provide smaller rocks for pounding and sturdy tables and lots of paper and paintbrushes for a gardening environment that will encourage children to experiment and create works of art from their very own garden.
PIZZA GARDEN
Why not create circular garden plot divided �pizza style� into wedges and planted with tomatoes, oregano, green pepper, onion and parsley?
**********************
BEAN POLE TEEPEE
You will need 5 or 6 bamboo or PVC pipe poles aprox. 6 ft. in lenght. Form a 4 ft. diameter circle at the base, leaving one section wider than the others to be used as a doorway. Criss-cross the poles at the top and secure with string or twine. At the base of each pole let the children plant climbing plants such as pole beans, sugar snap peas or clematis.
A variation on this project is to use 4 ft. poles for the base. Run an 8 ft. pole through the center with a 4 ft. cross bar attached about one foot from the top. Put a shirt or blouse on the cross section. Secure a plastic flower pot to the top of the pole, add a face and a sun bonnet. As the plants grow at the base they will add the skirt!