Category: Pinterest

Plastic Tub Gardens

1/23/2018

So many kids that I work with tell me they want a garden but their parents say they just don’t have room for a garden.

You know what I say to them? “WHATEVER!” Even a small old plastic tub like this one that was once used to keep toy dinosars in will work.

Putting a garden in a plastic tub like this is just a simple form of container gardening. All you need is a small sunny spot to put the tub once it’s planted and add some extra water from time to time. The best thing about this is it’s kid-sized so it’s not overwhelming for small hands.

Turn the tub upside down and to put holes in the bottom. The holes can either be cut or drilled and should be about 4 inches apart! Grab a ruler and help your child learn how far 4 inches is. (What else can you find in the yard that is 4 inches? Yes, every opportunity in the garden creates another opportunity to learn some more.)

Once the holes are made, fill the tub up with potting soil and add your new plants! It’s that easy. Just don’t put too many plants in there. For a container this size 2 or 3 small herbs or plants is the max. The roots need room to spread out as they get bigger and you don’t want them to get tangled with each other.

Then just remember to water the tub enough to keep the soil moist or damp but never where it’s completely under water. Anytime you plant in a container you have to keep an eye on them as they dry out faster than planting right into the dirt. Water the soil when it starts to feel dry!

ADULT HELPER NOTE:

If you have a lid that goes with the container place it underneath and then stack two bricks on it before putting the container down. This will help show young gardeners how drainage works.

Lisa Ely

Lisa Ely Gardens was a natural transition during a lifetime love of the outdoors. From television and media producer traveling the globe experiencing tastes and cultures around the world, to children's author, and now to creating open and visually stunning garden spaces for students and families to experience dynamic lessons in outdoor community classrooms, Lisa Ely is always developing something new, fun and exciting.

Take a moment to Learn, Giggle and Grow with us.

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Pumpkin Fries - RECIPE

10/23/2017

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‘Tis the season for truck loads of pumpkins.

I know most kids tend to think about only carving pumpkins, but don’t forget pumpkins are a vegetable too! They are totally edible! To prove my point we’re making
PUMPKIN FRIES!

The only problem with this yummy snack is there isn’t ever enough!
Pumpkin offers major health benefits that go beyond those of other superfoods that get so much more attention. Pumpkins are full of flavor and nutrition…a great way to help teach your kids healthy habits!

What’s Needed:

·        Fresh pumpkin

·        2 to 3 tablespoons of live oil

·        Salt (optional)

To make pumpkin fries, cut the pumpkin into sticks that look just like normal potato French fries. We often grab a good chunk of off the bottom of our jack-o-lantern lid when we’re carving pumpkins!

The oven should be heated up to 450 degrees while you’re cutting the pumpkin.

Once the fries are cut, throw them into a plastic zipper bag or bowl and mix them up with olive oil and salt. Place them onto a cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Once they start turning brown, it’s time to pull the fries out of the oven and let them cool for a couple minutes.

As soon as my daughter took a bite she declared that her “taste buds were doing cartwheels!” I’ll take that food review any day!

We’re also created the traditional pumpkin pies and mashed pumpkin but these fries are our favorite!

Nutritional note: raw pumpkin only has 15 calories per ½ cup and is full of iron, zinc and fiber!

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