Gardening for Kids: A Fun and Educational Outdoor Activity

Introducing children to gardening is a wonderful way to spark their curiosity about nature, teach responsibility, and enjoy quality family time outdoors. Whether you have a large backyard or just a few pots on a patio, gardening can be an engaging and rewarding experience for kids of all ages. Here’s how to make gardening fun and educational for young green thumbs!

Why Gardening is Great for Kids

1. Hands-On Learning

Gardening helps children learn about plant life cycles, soil health, and even pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s a great way to introduce basic science concepts in a fun and interactive way.

2. Encourages Healthy Eating

Kids are more likely to eat vegetables they’ve grown themselves! Planting easy-to-grow crops like cherry tomatoes, carrots, and strawberries can encourage them to try new, healthy foods.

3. Builds Responsibility and Patience

Caring for plants teaches kids to be responsible by watering, weeding, and observing growth. It also helps them understand that good things take time to grow.

4. Enhances Fine Motor Skills

Digging, planting seeds, and picking flowers help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, essential for young children’s development.

How to Start a Kid-Friendly Garden

1. Choose the Right Spot

Pick a safe and accessible location with plenty of sunlight. Raised garden beds, container gardens, or small garden patches work well for kids.

2. Select Easy-to-Grow Plants

Some plants are more forgiving and sprout quickly, keeping kids engaged. Great options include:

• Sunflowers – Tall and fun to watch grow.
• Radishes – Fast-growing and great for beginners.
• Lettuce – Quick to sprout and easy to harvest.
• Strawberries – Sweet, rewarding, and fun to pick.

3. Provide Child-Friendly Tools

Equip kids with small, lightweight gardening tools like:

• A mini shovel and rake
• A watering can with a gentle spout
• Gardening gloves

Fun Gardening Activities for Kids

1. Create a Themed Garden

Make gardening more exciting by designing themed gardens, such as:

• Pizza Garden – Grow basil, tomatoes, and peppers.
• Butterfly Garden – Plant milkweed, lavender, and coneflowers.
• Rainbow Garden – Grow colorful flowers and veggies in a rainbow pattern.

2. Start a Seedling Experiment

Use egg cartons or clear cups to start seeds indoors and watch them sprout before transferring them outside.

3. Make a DIY Fairy or Dinosaur Garden

Encourage creativity by adding tiny fairy houses, gnomes or dinosaur figurines among plants for a magical touch.

4. Track Growth with a Garden Journal

Have kids draw pictures or take notes about their plants’ progress, reinforcing observation and writing skills.

Tips for Keeping Kids Engaged in Gardening

• Keep tasks short and fun – Young kids have short attention spans, so make activities quick and engaging.
• Let them get messy – Dirt is part of the fun! Encourage hands-on exploration.
• Celebrate successes – Even if only one plant grows, praise their effort and curiosity.
• Incorporate storytelling – Read books about gardening or invent garden-related adventures.

Gardening with kids is not just about growing plants—it’s about growing memories, curiosity, and a love for nature. Get started today and enjoy the journey of discovering the wonders of gardening together!

Spring Ultimate Lawn Care Guide from the Pros

As the winter frost melts away, spring is the perfect time to rejuvenate your lawn and set the stage for a lush, healthy yard. With professional-grade tips and best practices, you can ensure your grass gets the strongest possible start for the growing season.

Step 1: Clean Up and Assess Your Lawn

1. Remove Debris

Winter can leave behind dead leaves, branches, and other debris. Rake up any leftover thatch to promote airflow and prevent mold or disease.

2. Check for Snow Mold and Pests

Inspect your lawn for signs of snow mold, dead patches, or pest damage. If you notice grubs, consider applying beneficial nematodes or a grub control treatment.

3. Soil Testing

A professional soil test will reveal pH levels and nutrient deficiencies. If your pH is off, apply lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) accordingly.

Step 2: Aerate and Dethatch for Healthy Roots

1. Core Aeration

Aerating your lawn allows oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the root zone, promoting stronger, deeper root growth. If your soil is compacted, consider renting a core aerator.

2. Dethatching

If thatch buildup exceeds ½ inch, use a dethatcher or power rake to remove excess material and improve nutrient absorption.

Step 3: Overseed and Repair Bare Patches

1. Choose the Right Grass Seed

For thin or patchy areas, overseed with a high-quality grass seed blend suited to your region and sun exposure.

2. Proper Seeding Techniques

• Loosen the top layer of soil before spreading seed.
• Keep the soil moist but not oversaturated.
• Apply a thin layer of straw mulch (such as EZ Straw) to retain moisture and protect seedlings.

Step 4: Fertilize for Strong Growth

1. Use a Balanced Fertilizer

Apply a slow-release fertilizer like GreenView Lawn Food to promote early-season growth without excessive top growth that can stress roots.

2. Avoid Over-Fertilizing

Too much nitrogen can lead to rapid blade growth at the expense of root development. Stick to professional recommendations for your grass type.

Step 5: Weed Prevention and Control

1. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide

A pre-emergent weed control product will stop common spring weeds like crabgrass before they sprout.

2. Spot-Treat Existing Weeds

For already-emerged weeds, use a selective herbicide that targets weeds without harming your grass.

Step 6: Mowing and Watering Strategies

1. First Mow of the Season

• Set your mower blade to 3–4 inches to encourage deep root growth.
• Never remove more than ⅓ of the grass blade height in a single mowing session.

2. Watering Best Practices

• Water deeply 1–1.5 inches per week, ideally in the early morning.
• Avoid shallow, frequent watering, which encourages weak, surface-level roots.

Step 7: Mulching and Edging for a Polished Look

1. Refresh Mulch Beds

Apply a fresh layer of mulch around trees and flower beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Define Lawn Edges

Use a half-moon edger or trimmer to create clean, sharp lawn edges along walkways and beds.

Spring Lawn Care Pro Tips

• Monitor Your Lawn Weekly: Check for signs of pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies.
• Rotate Mowing Patterns: Change mowing direction each time to avoid soil compaction.
• Invest in Quality Products: Using professional-grade fertilizers, weed control, and aeration tools will make a noticeable difference in lawn health.

By following these pro tips, you’ll set up your lawn for a season of strong, healthy growth. Need expert advice or premium lawn care products? Visit D.R. Snell Nursery for everything you need to achieve the ultimate spring lawn!

How to Plan a Cottage Garden: From Sweet Peas to Hollyhocks

A cottage garden is a charming, whimsical space overflowing with flowers, rich textures, and a sense of unrestrained beauty. Unlike formal gardens with precise symmetry, a cottage garden embraces an informal, abundant planting style, often featuring classic flowers like sweet peas, hollyhocks, delphiniums, and foxgloves. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing space, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about planning a romantic, flower-filled cottage garden.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Location

A successful cottage garden starts with selecting the ideal location. Most traditional cottage garden plants thrive in full sun, needing at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, if you have a partially shaded area, you can still achieve the look by incorporating shade-tolerant plants like foxgloves, hellebores, and columbines.

Soil quality is also essential—rich, well-draining soil will support a diverse mix of flowers. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, amend it with organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve its structure and fertility.

Step 2: Designing the Layout

Cottage gardens are known for their informal, overflowing look, but they still require thoughtful planning. Consider the following elements when designing your layout:

1. Layering for Height and Depth

A well-planned cottage garden has a sense of verticality, with plants arranged by height:

• Tall flowers (4-8 feet): Hollyhocks, foxgloves, delphiniums, and sunflowers create a dramatic backdrop.
• Medium-height plants (2-4 feet): Phlox, roses, daisies, and salvias add fullness and color.
• Low-growing plants (under 2 feet): Sweet peas, violets, alyssum, and creeping thyme fill in gaps and soften borders.

Planting in clusters or drifts rather than single rows creates a more naturalistic look.

2. Pathways and Structures

Incorporating meandering pathways made of gravel, stepping stones, or brick enhances the romantic charm of a cottage garden. Arches, trellises, and obelisks provide support for climbing plants like sweet peas, clematis, and roses, adding vertical interest.

3. Mixing Flowers and Edibles

Traditionally, cottage gardens combined flowers, herbs, and vegetables. You can integrate edibles like lavender, chives, thyme, strawberries, and even tomatoes for both beauty and function.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Plants

A well-balanced cottage garden includes a mix of annuals, perennials, biennials, and climbers to ensure continuous blooms throughout the growing season.

1. Classic Cottage Garden Flowers

• Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) – These fragrant climbers bloom profusely in spring and early summer, ideal for trellises and archways.
• Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) – Towering spires of large, colorful flowers that add vertical drama.
• Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) – Bell-shaped blooms loved by pollinators, perfect for shady spots.
• Delphiniums – Vibrant blue and purple spikes that provide striking color.
• Peonies – Lush, romantic blooms that return year after year.
• Roses – Classic shrub or climbing varieties like David Austin roses work beautifully.
• Daisies (Leucanthemum spp.) – Simple, cheerful flowers that add a meadow-like feel.

2. Fragrant and Pollinator-Friendly Choices

• Lavender – Aromatic and perfect for edging paths.
• Phlox – Fragrant clusters of summer flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple.
• Bee Balm (Monarda) – Attracts hummingbirds and adds a pop of color.
• Catmint (Nepeta) – A lavender-like plant that bees and butterflies adore.

3. Filler and Ground Cover Plants

• Alyssum – A low-growing plant that spills over borders with tiny, fragrant blooms.
• Creeping Thyme – Great for softening the edges of paths.
• Violas and Pansies – Early bloomers that add cheer in spring and fall.

Step 4: Planting and Maintenance

1. When and How to Plant

• Perennials and shrubs should be planted in early spring or fall to allow root establishment.
• Annuals like sweet peas can be direct sown in early spring after the last frost.
• Biennials like foxgloves and hollyhocks need to be started one year in advance for blooms the following season.

2. Watering and Fertilizing

• Water deeply but infrequently, aiming for about 1 inch per week.
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Use organic fertilizers like compost tea or fish emulsion to keep plants thriving.

3. Pruning and Deadheading

Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages more blooms. Some perennials, like delphiniums and phlox, can be cut back after blooming to encourage a second flush of flowers.

Step 5: Adding Finishing Touches

1. Garden Ornaments and Accessories

A true cottage garden embraces charm and whimsy. Consider adding:

• Birdbaths and birdhouses to attract wildlife.
• Rustic wooden benches nestled among flowers.
• Vintage containers and wheelbarrows planted with blooms.

2. Seasonal Interest

Extend the garden’s appeal by adding elements for every season:

• Spring: Daffodils, tulips, and primroses.
• Summer: Roses, hollyhocks, and sweet peas.
• Fall: Asters, sedum, and ornamental grasses.
• Winter: Evergreens, hellebores, and dried seed heads for structure.

Conclusion

Planning a cottage garden is as much about embracing creativity and spontaneity as it is about structure. By layering plants, incorporating romantic climbers, and mixing perennials with annuals, you’ll create a timeless, enchanting retreatfilled with beauty year after year. Whether you’re drawn to the fragrance of sweet peas or the towering presence of hollyhocks, your cottage garden will be a place of joy, relaxation, and natural splendor.

Now, grab your spade and start planting—your dream cottage garden awaits!

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Gardener holding wooden seedling tray in vegetable garden.

How to Choose the Right Seeds for Your Garden

Starting a garden begins with a simple yet crucial decision: choosing the right seeds/plants. Whether you’re planning a vegetable garden, a cut-flower bed, or a mix of both, selecting seeds suited to your climate, growing season, and gardening goals will set you up for success.

Understanding Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season Seeds

One of the most important factors when selecting seeds is whether they thrive in cool or warm weather. Choosing the right type for the time of year and your region will ensure healthier plants and better harvests. Since we live in Maryland we have our cool season which runs from march to May and then our warm season may- august followed by another cool August to October. This means you can grow multiple crops in small areas!

Cool-Season Seeds

Cool-season plants prefer mild temperatures and can tolerate light frosts. They often grow best when sown in early spring or late summer to fall. Many cool-season vegetables have sweeter flavors when grown in cool weather, and some flowers bloom best in spring or fall.

✔ Best Cool-Season Vegetables:

• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula
• Root Crops: Carrots, beets, radishes, turnips
• Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts
• Legumes: Peas, fava beans
• Other: Onions, garlic

✔ Best Cool-Season Flowers:

• Pansies & Violas – Cold-hardy and bloom early in spring
• Snapdragons – Thrive in cooler temperatures and can handle frost
• Larkspur – Can be sown in fall for early spring blooms
• Sweet Peas – Prefer cool weather and produce fragrant blooms
• Calendula – Edible flowers that bloom in cool conditions

🌱 When to Plant Cool-Season Seeds:

• Indoors: Start seeds 6–8 weeks before your last frost date for early transplanting.
• Direct Sow: As soon as the ground is workable in spring or in late summer for a fall crop.

Warm-Season Seeds

Warm-season plants require consistently warm temperatures to thrive. They are typically planted after the last frost and need plenty of sunlight to produce fruit and flowers. Many warm-season vegetables are heavy feeders, benefiting from rich soil and regular watering.

✔ Best Warm-Season Vegetables:

Father And Son Planting Seedling In Ground On Allotment

• Fruit-Bearing Crops: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant
• Vining Vegetables: Cucumbers, squash, melons
• Beans & Corn: Green beans, pole beans, sweet corn
• Root Crops: Sweet potatoes, peanuts

✔ Best Warm-Season Flowers:

• Zinnias – Heat-tolerant and provide continuous blooms
• Sunflowers – Thrive in full sun and attract pollinators
• Marigolds – Help repel pests and bloom all season
• Cosmos – Low-maintenance flowers that love the heat
• Nasturtiums – Edible flowers that deter pests in vegetable gardens

🌞 When to Plant Warm-Season Seeds:

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors 6–10 weeks before your last frost date to get a head start.
• Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently warm (typically 60°F+).

How to Choose the Best Seeds for Your Garden

Once you understand the difference between cool-season and warm-season plants, you can narrow down your options based on your garden’s needs.

1. Consider Your Growing Zone & Frost Dates

We are zone 6/7 and our average last frost date is May 1 ( we often recommend May 10 as true safe date) will help you determine which seeds to start early indoors and which can be sown directly outdoors.  Check out this sowing when guide. You can also check seed packets for recommended planting times based on your region.

2. Choose Between Heirloom, Hybrid & Organic Seeds

• Heirloom Seeds – Open-pollinated and saved for generations, offering unique flavors and colors.
• Hybrid Seeds – Bred for disease resistance, higher yields, and uniformity.
• Organic Seeds – Grown without synthetic chemicals, ideal for organic gardening.

Choosing between heirloom and hybrid seeds depends on your gardening goals. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down for generations, valued for their rich flavors, unique colors, and the ability to save seeds for future planting. They are ideal for gardeners who want to preserve genetic diversity, grow traditional crops, and enjoy produce with superior taste. However, heirlooms can sometimes be more susceptible to pests and diseases. Hybrid seeds, on the other hand, are selectively bred to enhance traits like disease resistance, higher yields, and uniform growth. They are a great choice if you want reliable production, better resistance to environmental stress, or a garden with fewer pest issues. However, hybrid seeds do not produce true-to-type plants if saved and replanted. If you prioritize sustainability and seed saving, heirlooms are the way to go. If you need consistency and resilience, hybrids might be the better option.

3. Decide If You Want Direct Sowing or Transplants

Some seeds, like root crops (carrots, beets, radishes) and beans, prefer to be direct sown in the garden. Others, like tomatoes, peppers, and many flowers, benefit from starting indoors and transplanting later.

4. Factor in Your Garden Space & Growing Time

If you have limited space, choose compact or container-friendly varieties. If your growing season is short, look for fast-maturing plants like bush beans, baby greens, or dwarf sunflowers.

5. Pick Seeds Based on Your Garden Goals

• Want a kitchen garden? Focus on high-yield vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs.
• Looking for pollinator-friendly plants? Include zinnias, cosmos, and native wildflowers.
• Planning a cut-flower garden? Grow long-stemmed flowers like snapdragons, larkspur, and sunflowers.

Final Thoughts: The Right Seeds for a Thriving Garden

Choosing the right seeds is the foundation of a successful garden. By selecting cool-season crops for early spring and fall, and warm-season crops for summer, you can enjoy a continuous harvest of vegetables and flowers throughout the year.

Take the time to read seed packets, consider your climate, and align your choices with your gardening goals. With a little planning, you’ll be on your way to a thriving, productive garden!

💡 Ready to start planting? Browse our selection of vegetable and flower seeds to get growing today!