Georgia Magazine - July 2023 - 25

Nurture a love of nature
Masuda suggests making time to stop and talk
about what children are seeing as they play outside.
" When you notice an interesting leaf, flower,
seed or fruit, point it out and talk about it, " Masuda
advises. " Kids love finding treasures and talking and
exploring with their trusted adult. Before long, they
will start pointing out interesting plants to you.
" Throughout the year, there are plants close to
your home to notice and talk about on your daily
walks. If you are in a safe place where picking would
be allowed, gather up all those weedy flowers to
make a pretend soup or a fairy potion, or make a
crown or chain out of clover flowers. "
Kids also can learn gardening basics during
Drop-In Kids Gardening Activity days at the Lou
Glenn Children's Garden. Every Wednesday from
March through October, families can participate in
kid-friendly gardening activities.
" Kids love planting, watering, digging and
harvesting, " Masuda says.
The Children's Learning Garden at the Botanic
Garden at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro
is part of the more than 11 acres of gardens on an
early 20th-century farmstead.
" We are concerned with educating children
about planting their own garden at their home and
learning where their food comes from, " says Kathy
Tucker, education coordinator.
Tucker says that the garden's horticulture
manager determines what types of plants children
will plant for each season and their graduate
assistant teaches them the right way to prepare the
soil, plant seedlings and seeds, water, weed, harvest
and prepare food.
The Children's Learning Garden also has resources
available for at-home, hands-on gardening
activities, such as growing seeds and conducting outdoor scavenger and
leaf hunts.
Becky Griffin, community and school garden coordinator at the
Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville,
recommends visiting farmers markets with your kids, then planning and
cooking a meal together using local produce or working with them toward
a garden certification such as a Monarch Watch Station or a Backyard
Wildlife Habitat.
" Also, participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, " Griffin
says. " This 'citizen-science project' was created by the University of Georgia
and is designed so that everyone can participate and make a difference in
pollinator conservation. "
" We have a motto at Gardens on Green that well conveys our awareness
of the value of these experiences in children's lives, " Lovett says. " The
flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today. "
Kathy Witt is a freelance writer based in Kentucky.
How does your garden grow?
Kathryn Masuda suggests starting with veggies that will excite kids and that
will produce good results. Here are some plants that have been successful at the
Lou Glenn Children's Garden:
* carrots, especially smaller varieties like 'Thumbelina,' 'Little Fingers' and
'Short n' Sweet';
* radishes, such as 'Easter Egg' or 'Watermelon';
* unusual-colored veggies like purple broccoli or cabbage;
* diff erent colors and varieties of lettuce;
* unusual cherry tomato varieties, especially 'Sungold' and 'Chocolate Cherry';
* watermelons, such as 'Moon & Stars,' 'Golden Midget' and 'Sugar Baby';
* beans, especially fun varieties like Chinese red noodle.
" If you want to try something really unique, plant horned melon, " Masuda
says. " It has an unusual shape and a slimy interior. "
For more information
Great Southeast Pollinator Census, University of Georgia Extension Center
for Urban Agriculture. The next census takes place Aug. 18-19. Watch the
video at gsepc.org to learn how to join the count.
Guided by a Master Gardener, a young visitor works at a plant bed in the
Lovett Literacy Garden at Gardens on Green in Gainesville.
The Lou Glenn Children's Garden encourages kids to dig in the dirt
and learn about nature through hands-on experiences.
www.georgiamagazine.org 25
COURTESY GARDENS ON GREEN
COURTESY ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN
http://www.gsepc.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org
Georgia Magazine - July 2023

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