There are times when it’s challenging to work with kids. I have said in the past that getting your kids to help is the easiest way to double the time it takes to do a project. I don’t always do a perfect job at whatever I do, but I really want too. It’s the desire to have things “done right” that makes inviting the kids to help difficult. Yes, I admit it… I don’t always welcome the kids to my projects, but I’m getting better at it.
This year I have let down my guard. I am intentionally inviting the kids to come in and do some garden work. This has been done in the past but on a much more controlled and limited scale. Two 4’x4′ raised beds have been built specifically for two of my kids. In these beds they have planted what they want. They won’t be perfect… by any means, but they are fun.
I know my kids need to learn how to do some of this stuff. Gardening is something that everyone should know a little bit about. Growing food is so fundamental. There is a connection to who we are in this world that we GET when we grow our own food. Maybe that’s a weird way to say it, but it’s how I feel.
Not all of my kids care to be in the garden… that’s ok. The two who really love it are a real joy. I love coming home and finding my little girl in the greenhouse singing as she is watering the little sprouts. She loves to tell me how many came up while I was at work.
My 15 year old son is autistic and he loves to plant things. He comes in with his service dog, Herry, to work with me as we plant new needs and potted plants. There are a few things he really enjoys in life: Frech Fries (crispy well done), Driving (he really wants a golf cart), Chin Hair and working with Dad!
Whatever my kids are learning in this process is good. Just plain good. There are times I think that “they need this”… and I’m sure they do, but really… I need them. I need this. They joy they give to me is far greater a reward than any harvest my garden will ever physically provide. I’m sure my improperly spaced pepper plants will be fine. My Tomatoes that aren’t planted quite deep enough will grow. I’ll survive my Lemon tree not producing as many Lemons because my little girl couldn’t resist picking those pretty flowers in the Spring. … All those things are nothing next to the blessings of sharing in the joy of gardening with my kids. 🙂
Here is a video of a garden conceived and created by the kids.
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The fruit trees produce some of the most beautiful flowers! This post is to share some that I’ve captured in the last few weeks. My photos are all captured by my Galaxy S3… so, they aren’t “professional” 🙂
I am very excited for this years garden! I have a greenhouse! 6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly. This is the first greenhouse I’ve ever owned. It’s not very big, but it should give me a nice place start my seeds and over winter some of the plants. My small Lemon tree will appreciate that.
These Harbor Freight deals can be pretty good. This greenhouse was on sale for $299 and they allowed me to use another 20% coupon on top of that. I was going to build my own greenhouse from scratch, but the cost savings here changed my mind.
This was from my garden last year. I have dreams
of greater success this year. My greenhouse is
bolstering my confidence! 🙂
Best of all, now that I have it I can SAVE MONEY! I used to buy all my plants for the garden, but now I can start from seeds. Plants can cost $4 each. A seed packet is usually around $1. Each seed packet can start 50 plants or more.
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly: Front View
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly:
Built on a Custom Framed Short Wall Foundation
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly video
In this video you will probably notice that I can hardly contain myself 🙂 I feel like a little kid with a new club house or something. Only here… I am inviting you into my club, not keeping you out! LOL.
After my introduction I have a series of video clips that show how the greenhouse went together. I don’t think you should use this as a stand alone “how-to“, but it might assist you in the process of building.
I wanted to share with you how I started my tomato seeds in the greenhouse too. I really don’t know what I’m doing so forgive my mess! This video shows that process.
You won’t find a nicer guy to buy seeds from 😉 He specializes in heirloom tomatoes. I chose to use the heirloom tomatoes this year because I’d like to learn how to save seeds for myself. By the way, Gary has videos on his blog about how to do that.
After the building and planting and the time it takes me to get a blog post up… here is an example of a little tomato seed that decided to love me back.
daddykirbs Garden Blog: Tomato Seed Sprouting
My little girl wanted to join in on the fun so she started one of the black sunflower seeds from the bag of chicken scratch. She grew some last year too 🙂
daddykirbs Garden Blog: Sunflower Seed Sprouting
We started a row of these in the raised beds too. We read that Sunflowers make Cucumbers taste better so we will start the Cucumbers near these.
I loved in elementary school when we got to start Sweet Potatoes in little cups! I decided to try it again here in the greenhouse. These are holdovers from the very few that I grew last year. These will be planted in the Hugel Beds up by the Orchard.
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly
Click on the image to visit the YouTube video about the construction of this greenhouse!
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly with my helper
Click on the image to visit the YouTube video about the construction of this greenhouse!
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly:
Constructing the Short Wall
Click on the image to visit the YouTube video about the construction of this greenhouse!
6×8 harbor freight greenhouse assembly:
Constructing the Short Wall
Click on the image to visit the YouTube video about the construction of this greenhouse!
If you’ve read my blog or watched my videos you know I haven’t been “country” for very long. I’m still learning as I go, but I find it interesting some of the things I used to think. I’m reminded of some of these things as I talk to friends who still live in the city.
This makes me want to highlight some of the misconceptions that city folk have about chickens. I’ve had a few good laughs about some of this.
1. “Dude, those eggs are green! Are they ok to eat?”
Last year we had some mild success at growing Cantaloupe Melons. We love this fruit! This year I decided to try again. I have a raised bed dedicated to Watermelon and Cantaloupe.
The wire cages I’m using this year are not ideal for Cantaloupe, but they worked ok last year. These are normal wire Tomato cages. These will not be used for Tomatoes. The Cantaloupe will vine along the ground, but can be trained to go along a trellis as well. I will train mine to wind around these wire Tomato cages.
Cantaloupe Planting – Daddykirbs Garden Blog
Notice that I tied the tops of the cages together. This is done for support. Each cage on it’s own isn’t very sturdy so they tend to lean over. With each of them supporting each other they should stand the weight of the plant and fruit on them.
Here is a short video that explains the process.
Here are some advertised products that could help in your garden:
Buy Greenstalk Vertical Gardens! http://lddy.no/25if (affiliate link - Daddykirbs Farm. Thank you.) Coupon Code DADDYKIRBS to get up to $10 off!
Hi! I'm Blake. Online I go by "Daddykirbs". My farm and blog is a place to learn about my journey with Permaculture, Homesteading, Gardening and more. Thanks for visiting!
