How does your garden grow?

About a month ago, I finally had some time to clear the weeds out of our vegetable growing box and decided to plant some seeds for the winter growing season.  This is something I started to do with the girls last year just for fun.  I think its important for kids to know where their food comes from.  After looking through our seed packets, my assistant picked broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, lettuce, eggplant and swiss chards.

After choosing the packets, it was time to get to work.  My assistant insisted she had to be properly dressed in order to begin her garden. 🙂  Who am I to argue with her?

Carefully selecting the seeds.

A gentle pat on the ground to cover the seeds.  Around the gardening box we went.  Last year we had great success with the cauliflower and broccoli plants we bought from Lowes.  So, I’m really curious to see how we do with them because this time we are starting from seed.  So far, with very minimal care I must add, the chards, lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli seem to be going at full speed.

This picture was taken about 20 days after planting.  Previously we’ve had problems with snails and slugs.  After a quick google search, I learned that ground coffee beans have been used to combat slugs and snails.  So, off to Starbucks I went!  It seems to be working so far.  I’ve also learned that ground coffee beans are great as mulch.  I’d say its probably time for me to pick some more up!

Here are some other useful links on growing vegetables at home:

• http://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/how-to-grow-vegetables-from-seed/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vO1hzLJjN8
• http://www.backyard-vegetable-gardening.com/
• http://eartheasy.com/grow_gardening_children.htm