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Get Ready to Play in the Dirt: Start a Container Garden! Spring is a terrific time for planting flowers with your children. They love tending plants and other living things and it can be fairly inexpensive. You can start your garden for about $10. An added bonus is that this activity can give them a real sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Space and expertise are not necessary. Container gardens are a great way to plant flowers. You can have the pots inside or outside, they don't require weeding, and can really brighten up a home. The most important consideration is the size of the pots. Get pots large enough so you won't need to water constantly, but small enough that your children can move them around. You can also create flower pots by cutting open old milk jugs or other clean plastic containers. However, you need to make sure there's a drainage hole in the bottom so you don't drown your flowers! Remember, you should only put one plant in each pot, to allow for proper growing room.

What should you choose? Geraniums are hardy and work well indoors and out. Another good choice are chrysanthemums. They flower often and can be outdoors. Remember, some indoor plants may need a sunny window or plant light (plant bulbs are inexpensive) to help them grow. Let your children pick out a few plants that appeal to them. Growing an herb garden is a delightful alternative to flowers. Herbs do not need a lot of sunshine, and they don't care about the quality of the soil. Rosemary, sage, basil, sweet marjoram, dill, mint, tarragon - the choices are many. Most are beautiful shades of green with nicely shaped leaves. An added benefit is that you can cook with them! Children love helping to harvest the plants and eating dinner with the fresh herbs! Pick up a bag of potting soil (around $1.50 for 4 quarts). And don't forget the plant food! Plant food sticks are an easy way to feed plants, and usually cost about $2.50. You simply push them into the soil and forget about them. By feeding plants you get larger, more frequent blooms for longer periods of time. Find a place where you can make a mess and get ready to play in the dirt! How about the kitchen table? (Spread some newspapers down first!) Put a little potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Position the plant at the top of the new pot and put about 1/2 an inch of soil on top. Pack the dirt around the plant, then fill in more. Now water it. Don't worry about drowning the plant. Drowning occurs when the excess water cannot drain from the pot. That won't happen if the pot has drainage holes. Water your plant, and then check the soil with a flat finger every day. When the soil feels dry to the touch, water it again. ardening can be fun and easy, relaxing and rewarding. The children will be actively involved, fascinated by the growth process, and the whole family can share in the successes. by: Jennifer I.W. Hess Jennifer I.W. Hess is a free-lance writer and full-time mother of three pre-schoolers.