For the youngest gardeners and nature lovers, summer often means day camps where they learn about plants and animals, programs with groups of like-minded junior naturalists, and perhaps a class on a favorite topic, such as flowers or caterpillars. Not this year, though. As beleaguered parents and disappointed kids already know, coronavirus has squelched many of the typical children’s activities that summer usually brings (along with much of the rest of modern life) . But with equal parts ingenuity and flexibility, families can find other ways to nurture a budding gardening instinct. Whether the setting is the kitchen table, a woodland park or a suburban vegetable patch, kids can still engage in that most important work of childhood: getting their hands dirty. One home-based option is choosing a garden theme to explore, suggests Christy Pearl of London, a retired teacher and president of Madison County Master Gardeners. The options are practically endless — seeds, herbs, parts of plants, whatever strikes a child’s fancy. “They could save seeds from fruits and vegetables that they’re eating,” Pearl said. Another theme with affordable materials that you can find in the pantry or at the grocery store is beans and legumes. “They can collect, sort, make a mosaic,” she said, adding that kids love sorting and that old egg cartons make handy containers. “Or you can explore the different parts of plants: flowers, stems, roots,” she suggested. “You can pick flowers and dissect them.” Even mealtime can bring an epiphany, she observed: “Hey, we’re eating a carrot — that’s the root of a plant!” For families seeking wide-open spaces, “All 19 Metro Parks are open,” said Peg Hanley, spokeswoman for Columbus Metro Parks. “Restrooms are open,” she added, an important factor when you are out and about with those who have just mastered the art of using one. “Naturalists are walking the trails,” she said. “They can point out a hummingbird nest,” for instance, or answer questions about whatever else you are looking at. (To find a naturalist, look for their distinctive green shirt, she advised.) Among the parks she singled out with special appeal for budding green thumbs: • Three Creeks, which features a structure called an “insect hotel” with holes, nooks and crannies for the kinds of little creatures that fascinate children. • Battelle-Darby, where “the prairies start to come into bloom in July,” creating vistas of shimmering colors. Plus: Bison! If spying one of these giant mammals in person doesn’t impress your kid, nothing will. • Inniswood Metro Gardens, which includes an enchanting children’s garden and other specialty areas. If the idea of visiting a park appeals to your family, you aren’t alone. This spring, “Our attendance figures have gone through the roof,” Hanley said. Based on number of visitors, “A Thursday in March was like a Sunday in May.” But with Metro Parks comprising more than 27,700 acres over seven counties, social distancing is quite doable. (For the latest safety updates, visit www.metroparks.net.) For some families, gardening begins at home. Kristina and Chris Nicholson of Pickerington, for instance, both grew up in gardening families and are sharing that tradition with their 4-year-old daughter, Amelia, whom they call “Millie.” “Millie loves being in nature and is turning into the little lady who always has muddy rain boots on,” Kristina Nicholson said. “She definitely loves getting her hands dirty and watching things grow.” The Nicholsons are raising vegetables at Pickerington Community Gardens, where the family can easily maintain social distancing with other gardeners, Kristina Nicholson said. Millie “helped plant the seeds. We had to show her not to plant six or seven in one spot.” Now that the seeds have sprouted, “Millie loves watering.” “We planted sunflowers at home,” Kristina added. “Millie waters those, too.” As all gardeners must, Millie is learning patience, her mom reports — a trait that grownups, too, might wish for more of these days. “Our radishes are about to be harvested,” Kristina Nicholson said. Millie wanted to pull them out too soon, so Mom gently explained that it wasn’t quite time. Diana Lockwood, a freelance writer covering gardening topics, posts on Facebook at https://ift.tt/2nBl2sb. Powered by WPeMatico The post Growing an interest <br /> With so much canceled by the coronavirus, family gardening can offer numerous summer activities for kids – The Columbus Dispatch appeared first on House Decor Club. via House Decor Club https://ift.tt/3hqsnUZ
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