For many families working in the garden together can help to make that connection with the natural world.  Today’s youth seem more at home sitting in front of a computer or playing a video game and often spend the vast majority of their time there.  How often do you hear kids telling stories of building a fort, or going down to the creek to play in the water or to fish?

I think the youth are not getting involved with nature, not because they do not want to, but because today’s technical lifestyle just does not give them many opportunities to do so. Youth have a curiosity about nature and it is part of their learning experiences. As parents and adults, how often do we help them to explore nature? Sometimes, in today’s world, we hesitate from fear about their safety.

Gardening is a way to encourage children to learn about nature and how things grow. Just having the kids pull weeds is not the way to encourage them to learn. Start at the beginning of the growing process by having them help you prepare the beds, plant the seeds and potted plants.  I have found that using potted plants works the best with the kids. They get to plant them and see the results of their work and not have to wait for the seed to grow.  The kids then enjoy watching the plants that they planted into the ground themselves grow. If you have the room, you could even give them a small area to plant as their own garden.

Take them out with you as you check on the progress of what you and your children have planted. This helps them to feel they are a part of the growing process and to take ownership with you for the garden. As you work together in the garden, you will be listening to them tell you their stories.  And it is a time for you to pass on your own stories and knowledge to them.

Time spent working in the garden together will be remembered for a lifetime, unlike the highest score gotten on a video game. Have fun together and love each other.

Click here to watch a video about kids and gardening.

Have you noticed Sparrows going into your Bluebird and Martin houses? If so they will drive out the

Nesting Material

Bluebirds and Martins from your nesting boxes. English Sparrows and Starlings will often attack and kill Bluebirds and Martins on a nest of eggs. Now is the time to trap and eliminate them. I recommend the use of the Songbird Essentials 2 compartment Sparrow Trap. Place it on Martin poles and other places like buildings where you want to eliminate Sparrows and Starlings. It works best if you bait the outside of the chambers with a small amount of Sparrow nesting material. You can also use popped popcorn. Keeping live Sparrows in the center compartment of the trap helps to attract more.

These are photos sent to me by Donna Breedlove taken in your backyard. Hope you all enjoy them.

This video shows a very unique way of keeping water for your birds from freezing over night.

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