Page 7 - Bringing out the Potential In Our Children - Gardeners - Food Producers

Here’s a simple DIY watering can made out of an old plastic bottle (1
gallon milk bottles are great because of the handle)

Instructions:
Clean out a one gallon milk jug.

Heat a needle over match or lighter for a few seconds. Poke holes into the
lid, reheat and repeat.

You can make one with a super fine/gentle spray by using a small needle
and one with a more flow by using a bigger needle.

Fill with water and replace lid – Viola! A homemade watering can.

Now getting down to the actual gardening part

● It’s a good idea to spend only about 15 minutes per activity
before changing tasks. Most kids love to water and plant things but
usually not so much the weeding, mulching and thinning. Here’s
where this guideline comes in handy allowing you to say "Let’s do 10
minutes of weeding, then you can grab your watering can to give your
plants a drink or let’s spend 10 minutes thinning then we can have a
treasure hunt and find some peas to pick."
● It’s very important to show off their work. Lots of attention can
be the best motivator for children to stay involved in their projects.
When people come over point out their gardening projects. Take lots
of picture to place in their gardening journal and to share with
grandparents or other special people in their life.
● Encourage them to talk about their garden and to keep a
garden journal.

One of their first gardening projects can be a mini gardening journal to
record what they planted, when the seeds sprouted, which grew first, how
they tasted (put a star beside those you would grow again), etc. Your

empty seed packs can be placed in there too.

Take 4 sheets of paper, cut and fold them into a 16 page mini
book.