Like flowers, children bloom in the garden.
TGSG Note: It’s no secret that I am nuts about gardening with kids, and think that no childhood is complete without digging in the dirt and watching something grow. Today’s post is by Alison Kerr, a TGSG reader whose blog, Loving Nature’s Garden, I enjoy very much. Alison was nice enough to stop by and share one of her play memories with us. (I love hearing about people’s play memories!) Happy reading. See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
When I think about it, all my early memories of playing outside involve garden play. Perhaps that doesn’t sound surprising, but the scene is the garden of my grandparents, a garden I had access to less than once a week, rather than the garden I had access to every day. Herein lies a secret to engaging children in the outdoors and in nature, garden play.
My own garden had a path consisting of a strip of concrete paving stones. My grandparents’ garden had a graveled path which crunched underfoot. My own garden had a strip of bare soil where alyssum and pansies struggled and failed to impress me. My grandparents’ garden had towering trees with berries, a hedgerow housing birds, nests, eggs and baby birds, crowded potatoes and carrots, and rhubarb to pick for pie-making. In my garden washing (laundry) hung out of reach. The sweet-smelling sheets and towels in my grandparents’ garden formed a maze, a castle, a perfect place for hide-and-seek.
By the time I was six years old I was more interested in the wonderful pretend play adventures invented by my older sister than in exploring everything in my grandparents’ garden. But by that time nature and gardening had already entered my soul. Every single day of my life I enjoy the antics of birds, marvel over little creepy crawly things, and rejoice over how seeds grow into plants which become food.
My love of the outdoors started in a garden. What about yours? Is there a garden in your life?
Guest Blogger Bio: Alison Kerr is a writer who is passionate about the Earth, nature, gardening, good food, and her family. You can read Alison’s work on Loving Nature’s Garden and follow her on Twitter @AlisonKerr.
Early morning open windows receiving the fragrance of lilacs, roses and honeysuckle brings a daily reminder that playing outdoors rekindles the soul. A time to reflect on the acre of vegetables and fruit trees. Gardening tasks of gathering vegetables and fruit for the daily meals. Baskets of fresh apricots, apples and cherries picked one at a time for preserving. Climbing the fruit trees with sack in hand, picking and examining each one for color, size and how it might taste. Thanks for the memories!
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
RT @thegoodhuman RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Garden from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
I hope my boys’ love of outdoors will begin in a garden! Our yard is surrounded with growing thriving plants. My youngest tends to help me more in the garden but we all harvest stuff together, share discoveries (a watermelon!! or check out that funky looking bug) and muddle around in there.
I was raised gardening and forced to weed on weekends. Boy did I hate it!! Guess it was better for me than I thought – especially as I’m not an addicted gardener.
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
Bethe, I’m delighted to be sharing my outdoor play memories at The Grass Stain Guru. Visiting here is almost as good as being outdoors.
Virginia, I love the words you use to conjure up images of your garden and how important it has been, and is, in your life. Mmmm… fruit and veggies. Some will disagree but, to me, you can’t have a garden without them.
Green Bean, clearly you love your veggies! Muddling around is the stuff. For kids, garden chores can really kill the joy of being in the garden. I think you’d enjoy this article http://lovingnaturesgarden.com/2009/07/four-tips-for-gardening-with-kids/
In the Garden: A Reader’s Play Memory | The Grass Stain Guru: TGSG Note: It’s no secret that I am nuts a.. http://bit.ly/z2NHE
I’ve warm memories of gardening with both my parents and grandparents. Can’t smell marigolds without recalling afternoons spent gathering seeds with my grandmother and placing them in the coffee can she kept them in ’til next season…. I’ve two gardens currently in my life: one at home and one at my children’s school. Both bring joy–to me and others. Hooray! @klsnature
Do U have garden play memories 2 share? Would love to hear them in the comments section. Leave UR @ name! http://bit.ly/2KyJXX
RT @balmeras: Do U have garden play memories 2 share? Would love to hear them in the comments section. Leave UR @ name! http://bit.ly/2KyJXX
When I was about 3, we lived next door to my little best friend, Judy. In between our houses was a spirea bush that overhung a piece of log. That became our “car” or “house’ or “boat” — whatever we wanted it to be. The blossoms were bridal bouquets for the hollyhock flower “ladies” we played with. When I was 6 we moved to the country and were surrounded by fruit & vegetable farms. I played with the farm kids and rode into the fields on the back of a flatbed to help pick. I can still smell the hot soil and vegetation… At 10, we moved back to the city to our home where we had a big backyard already planted 50 years ago with lilacs, hostas, lily of the valley, shasta daisies, poppies… my dad planted a vegetable garden. This was our kingdom for little plastic horses and figures — hours of imagination. Last spring I sat out in my front landscaping with my 3 yr old grandson, digging in the dirt. He had his little gardening gloves and trowel. We dug for over an hour in the freezing cold. The weigela are none the worse for wear, and he loves to help with the garden… @writerdiehl
My father had a vegetable garden and my mother had a rose garden but my special place was in between- among the branches of a huge willow tree in the backyard (at least it was huge to an 8 year old
). I’d climb as high as I dared, high enough to look into the upstairs window if I cared to, but I was more interested in my fellow tree companions. The view from there made our typical suburban neighborhood a little more appealing.
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
RT @thegoodhuman RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Garden from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
RT @balmeras: NEW post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
In the Garden: A Reader’s Play Memory | The Grass Stain Guru: TGSG Note: It’s no secret that I am nuts a.. http://bit.ly/z2NHE
Allison~
You’ve reminded me of my earliest memories of gardening joys. I can’t pass by the perfume of petunia without thinking of my grandmother. Or hold a tulip bulb without remembering my grandfather’s laugh. The dearest thoughts I have of family, past and present, seem to also be connected to a plant or tree or a place close to the soil.
Thanks for your lovely post!
Great comments, y’all! And thanks again to Alison for her post. It’s so great that we all have such fond memories associated with not only gardening, but our play and the worlds we created for ourselves as children. GOOD STUFF!!! Cheers- Bethe
Do U have garden play memories 2 share? Would love to hear them in the comments section. Leave UR @ name! http://bit.ly/2KyJXX
RT @balmeras: Do U have garden play memories 2 share? Would love to hear them in the comments section. Leave UR @ name! http://bit.ly/2KyJXX
For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
RT @balmeras Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
@alisonkerr Enjoyed your garden reflection (http://bit.ly/2KyJXX @balmeras), the memories it inspired. Childhood play: It still feeds us.
http://bit.ly/s9vgE
In the Garden: A Reader’s Play Memory
For the night shift: Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
RT @balmeras Today’s post @ The Grass Stain Guru http://bit.ly/2KyJXX In the Gardem from @alisonkerr #playoutdoors #garden
@alisonkerr Enjoyed your garden reflection (http://bit.ly/2KyJXX @balmeras), the memories it inspired. Childhood play: It still feeds us.
http://bit.ly/s9vgE
In the Garden: A Reader’s Play Memory