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Greenhouse Insect Prevention

Question: Now that we have a new school greenhouse set up and ready to go, we're anxious about insect invasions. How can we prevent them? Answer: Healthy plants are the best defense against greenhouse pest and disease problems. Here are some tips to...
Necessary Tools

Question: Gardening is new to my family. What garden tools do we really need to start out with? Answer: Gadgets can be a lot of fun, but in the beginning simple tools are adequate. Assuming your soil has already been tested and somewhat prepared by...
Tool Safety Tips

Question: Do you have any safety tips for a group of kids using garden tools? Answer: First off, remember to do some sort of warm-up exercises before beginning the heavy work of digging and hauling amendments, especially if you have been sitting quietly...
Design for Success

Question: How can we design our school garden for success? Answer: There is no set forumula, but here are some rules of thumb from other growing schools and classrooms. Start SMALL! Plan for a big garden in choosing your space but start very small....
Garden Fencing

Question: Do you recommend fencing a school garden? Answer: There are lots of good reasons to fence and lots of good reasons not to. Take a look at the pro's and con's below and decide for yourself based on your situation. On the "pro" side, fencing...
Safety in the Garden

Question: Are they any safety precautions I should take when involving my four-year-old in helping in the garden? Answer: You can help make the garden a safer place by keeping these things in mind: Remove tripping hazards. As you're preparing your...
Sports-Lovers' Gardens

Question: All fall and winter my sons, 7 and 9, play and watch sports, period. I'm hoping to get them involved in a family garden this summer, and I'm thinking about using sports as a theme. Do you have any suggestions for creating a sports garden?...
Marking Garden Paths

Question: How can I involve my youngster in marking out the garden so we know where to walk and where to plant? Answer: In the beginning, you will need to do some basic soil preparation. This is often more effectively done by an adult, although...
Sunflower Hide-A-Ways

Question: How do you make a sunflower hideaway for kids to play in? Answer: Sunflower houses are easy to grow in a sunny spot with good soil. With your young gardeners, decide on an exterior shape and dimensions. You'll need at least a 4- by 6-foot...
A Grand Garden Entrance

Question: Our garden is a very special place for my kids. Any ideas on how to make a special, grand, or magical entrance to it using recycled or inexpensive materials? Answer: A special gate or entryway is a wonderful way to mark the transition into...