Gardening with the Boy - Growing Seedlings in My Kitchen



I love gardening and want to teach Lewis what little I know about growing plants. I have loads and loads to learn and not everything I do turns out roses. But I keep trying. And what I lack in experience I make up for with enthusiasm. My thought is that I'll eventually get a great garden if I keep working at it. And I'd like to instill the same "can do" attitude in Lewis.

Because it's expensive to buy plants that I know that I could very well kill I decided to try seeds last year. Overall I'd say the seeds were a success. Almost everything I planted grew. And now I know not to plant zinnias that will grow 4 feet tall and fall over right by my favorite walking path.

So, for the second year in a row Lewis and I are growing seedlings in our kitchen. It's a blast to watch the seeds pop open and then start to grow. And kids love to mist and water seedlings. Lewis also likes a routine and got right into the groove of caring for the little plants last year. I hope this year will be the same.



Lewis prepares the containers for seeds.

This is a pretty simple project and there aren't many materials needed. We purchased small planters that go right into the ground and become food for the plants at Home Depot. I put the planters on a serving tray to keep the mess in one place. Then you need seeds, soil, water and a little patience. It takes a good few days to a couple weeks before you see any results. And you have to remember to water the planters every single day.

Knowing how plants work is really important to gardening. Lewis and I made sure to read the front and back of the seed packets to find out everything we could about planting the seeds. The height and needed sunlight will be described. Some can't have any sunlight until the seeds pop open. Some are not good for indoor growing. Some will come back every year. Some won't. Some will bring butterflies or hummingbirds. Some can be eaten. Lewis doesn't especially like vegetables so he usually wants to just plant flowers. He's afraid I'll make him eat what we plant (smart kid, I would).

I'll post updates on our progress including the grand finale when we plant the results of our labor in the backyard.

Even if not a single seed grows this was time well spent with my little man. And we'd try again next year... Fingers crossed we will have lots of lovely flowers in a few weeks.


Lewis is running out of patience with putting seeds in the soil.
But in the end we get it all done.



Watering! The best part!

All done. Now we just have to wait for them to grow.
I'll post updates as they either thrive or fail. Fingers crossed!