As you have noticed, this is part 2 of our gardening post. If you have missed part 1 of it, you may click on this link: Smarties’ gardening journey: Part 1.
We have started our gardening journey and after a great shopping trip, we are now getting our hands dirty and messy to set it up! We wanted a garden fresh of vegetables. Sounds big scale huh. Actually, we are starting with small vegetable garden.
We did quite a bit of research and the most important factors in gardening are sun, soil, and seeds. Not forgetting tender loving care from us too. So how do we go about doing it?
Firstly, we find a sunny spot that we can place our vegetables as they need direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day (roughly, because different vegetables may need a different amount of sunlight).
Secondly, the soil. Vegetables need nice enriching soil that composed of various top nutrients. We added coffee grounds and eggshells into the soil to give it more vitamins. Coffee grounds release nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals as they break down which slowly release fertilizer to the vegetables whereas crushed eggshells provide much needed calcium to the soil.
So here we are, mixing and messing the soil and the place.
After all the mixing and messing, now is to separate into different pots for planting.
Finally, we have to make little holes to plant the seeds. Make sure there is enough space between each seed so that when they can germinate and grow properly. Once done, is time to place them to where they belong and get ready to see them grow.
That’s it! Smarties have already taken up the roles of a parent to their vegetables. They have been nurturing their “babies” really well. Without being asked, they have been watering them every day without fail and they couldn’t wait to see it grow! A good way to train their patience….hehe…
We’ll update again on our progress, meanwhile, check out our video on how we set up our little garden. Enjoy!
Good to see that they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty! 😛
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Yesh! In fact, they treat the soil as sand and trying to build sandcastle… +_+
That’s a really lovely way to inculcate responsibility and hard work, so they can reap the veggies of their labour! We’ve only done bean sprouts so far and would love to try veggies!
Yes, is like the saying “you reap what you sow”. Smarties can’t wait to harvest their veggies. They have been faithfully watering it everyday. It’s really a good learning experience for them 😉
I would need to refer to this post if I ever plant anything from seed 🙂
Definitely, welcome back for reference 😉
The song on your video is so cute! Can’t wait for updates to see how the veges turn out. 🙂 We’ve only tried basil (ultimate fail) and the common bean sprout.
Thank you! Try again… never know that it may turn out well the next round 😉
We started planting again about a month back and our usually “black” fingers actually managed to see our tomato plants growing well! Really great tip on mixing in eggshells and coffee grounds!
That’s great!! Soon you will have pesticide free and healthy tomatoes!!
Yeah, we learnt that on the Internet too… great to share!
Don’t really hv green fingers..hee ? the money plant we got from Kidzania is actually dying but so tempted to try growing our own organic vegs aft watching a FB video which shows how easy it is.
The video always make it look so easy right? Didn’t know Kidzania gives plants to bring home and grow…
Was looking forward to the follow-up post and here it is! Good ‘farming’ tips etc….and best of all good to see your kids getting their hands ‘dirty’ in it. Wonderful!
Thank you David! Yes, is great to see the kids getting so hands on, that’s what learning is about. 🙂
Ownership. Kids would be so proud when they present their leafies. This brocoli or kang kong is harvested from my own efforts 🙂
Cheers, Andy
(SengkangBabies.com)
Yes, that’s the word: Ownership!
This is a great activity for developing their motor skills and so close to nature.