Jun. 9, 2008
Monday Meanderings - Gardening
Posted in Homeschooling Adventures
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Over a year ago I came across a book called Sunflower houses by Sharon Lovejoy. I was able to check it out at the Library and found that she had some other books that I liked better: Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots - Activities to do in the Garden
This book has many fun garden projects in it to do with children - from constructing tepees, growing giant pumpkins, moon flowers that open up in the light of the moon. Lots of craft projects and many, many other ideas. Trowel and Error Over 700 tips, remedies and shortcuts for the garden This book is basically a tightwads guide to gardening. I have found the book to be very useful and full of lots of creative ideas to make gardening cheaper. Like using an old car for a green house, not that people usally have one laying around but if you do - there's an idea! The first thing that I have done in getting ready for our gardening adventure this year has been ordering many, many, many seed catalogs. There is a wealth of knowledge you can learn just from reading a seed catalog. I am not talking Gruney's or Stark Brothers - One's like Seeds of Change, Territorial Seed Co., and there is even one that is run by a Christian family (not sure if they homeschool or not), Heirloom Seeds. I have learned that there are organic seeds, heirloom seeds, and than just seeds. There are Chocolate Tomatoes, Tomatillo's, Pineapple Tomatoes, Lemon Cucumbers, even a Kiwi that can survive done to -30 below - hence the name Hardy Kiwi. I checked out a LOT of books on gardening from our local Library - preferably with pictures. We also visited several of our local nurseries so the kids could get a visual idea of this plant thing. We are getting a late start. I have found that a lot of plants I should have started indoors back in February so I will be buying these rather than trying to grow things from seeds. I have also found that some of the plants talked about in Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots are not very popular, like the walking stick Cabbage. It would have to be ordered. Along with trying to get the pasture area leveled, seeded, sprinkler system put in and fenced (pictures later this week) there hasn't been any time to work on the yard. I did finally tackle it though with the help of some church friends, they live within walking distance and looking for something to do, their Mother was wondering if I could put them to work - boy, could I!! So with their help, we started planting this past week. The first thing we planted was corn.    4 bags full that is!! This was the 4yo idea. His 2 favorite foods right now are corn and watermelon.We planted them in one big plot. I am thinking I am going to have to transplant some of them, to make the area a little bigger. If you have seen the movie Second Hand Lions you will have an idea of what this is going to look like.  Next we created our tepees. I had saved sticks from last year when we limbed the trees.  This tepee is for the Bird house gourds and there is a wire thing in front (you can't really see it) for the Pole Beans. There will be giant pumpkins planted around it as well.  This tepee is for the Moon flowers. Moon flowers open up at night and they are part of the morning glory family.  "Must Do" list - Plant, Plant, Plant If I am going to place an azure order, today is the day to do it. Homekeeping - What's that? Menu Planning - Anything that is simple! Monday - Spaghetti Tuesday - Hamburgers Wednesday - Enchilada Casserole Thursday - Something with chicken Friday - Quesidilla Saturday - ?? Sunday - Bible Study/Devotions - We are reading The Building on the Rock series. |
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Jun. 9, 2008 - Books for children and gardeners
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Posted by Sharon Lovejoy Jun. 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
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