We are not gardeners, far from it. We have no idea of plant names, seasons they grow, what looks good together or how to care for them. We managed one year to grow corriander and lettuce but that was all and our flower knowledge is very limited! We barely manage to keep the hedges we do have trimmed back and lawn manicured, and whilst I have this new love of ornate gardens whilst out on our adventures, Its safe to say that our garden most of the year round looks like a complete dump!
I wrote recently (here) that despite its dump tendencies the kids still find a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from it and spend a lot of time out in it, playing together. I look at it often and just wish we looked after it better, had more “play facilities” and made it more of a relaxing space and continuation of out home. So when I tripped over a Tupperware tub with woodlice and mud in enough was enough and this week, with Nath being at home, we decided to tackle the garden once and for all.
I mowed the lawn and weeded the paths, he cut the hedges and loaded the car for the tip and the kids “helped” as they do, which basically included them doing as little as possible or getting completely in the way. It took the good part of the morning to really look like 10x better and after a trip to the tip and lunch I took the kids to the local fruit shop to buy some plants each to start a “mini garden”.
My sister in law did this recently with her son in part of one their flower beds and he loved it and I had seen something similar on pinterest that iv’e been meaning to try since Easter. As we don’t have any definite flower beds she suggested doing it large tubs or pots and so that’s what we did…they chose one each and we planted their chosen flowers/plants along with a tacky bird they’d found in B&M for £1 and they absolutely love them! We still have to add some mini garden furniture in their pots for the fairies (Megan) and woodlice (Ethan) to play on but I love how excited this little project was to them.
Our goal is to now keep up with our garden as its so refreshing and calm to look at and a reduced amount of hazards and obstructions for the kids to play freely! I love my pots with flowers and that I have a hanging basket by the door. I love that we can sit out again on summer evenings on our half rusty swing seat and chat for ages, making plans together and I can’t wait until we FINALLY buy a trampoline next week and mini bench for the kids as the finishing touches. Its nothing spectacular but it is ours, we worked side by side as a family to spruce it up and it will hold a lot of summer fun and happiness over the next couple of months. It will provide the perfect snowman spots in winter and we hope to grow our own little veggies and herbs come spring. Our ordinary little garden is our new little happy place after some not so ordinary time spent in it this week!
Well done, it looks fabulous! 🙂 I’ve always wen a bad gardener, preferring to do everything but getting my hands dirty, but kids do love it and they can get so much out of digging and planting and watching their plants grow. When our little one gets a big bigger I think I’ll have to do the same and spruce up our garden 🙂 you will have such a lovely time there now! #theordinarymoments
You deffs should, it was a bit of a faff but looks way better and so nice to make the garden something they have contributed to also. Thank you x
Aah, the kids look so proud! Sounds like you’ll all be having a lot of fun in the months to come 🙂 #ordinarymoments
I hope we will thank you! And yes they are so proud, they brought back rocks from the beach to put in their pots x
Well done it looks gorgeous, even the smallest things can make a difference. I love that you have given them both a pot, it’s a great way to get them involved and enjoying being in the garden. x
Mary I am totally with you in not knowing names of plants and flowers but I love that you have embraced your garden. What a great idea in getting the kids a pot each. I bet you are really pleased with your hard work xx
Oh good Tracey haha I find it awk when people know all about them and im like “huh?” ha!! And thanks, its so much more pleasant x
Loved this. Looks like they really enjoyed helping you and it looks great 🙂
Thank you they did, and everyday since they come out and admire they’re mini gardens and pots, anyone who visits gets a guided tour of the pots haha its so lovely to see x
Your garden looks so great now, and I love that you’ve done pot plants with the littles – they look so happy with their plants! We’ve been working on our garden over the past few months but it is still no where near done, and as Zach isn’t quite old enough to play properly in the garden I fear we’re going to end up leaving it until next year now! xx
Hahahah it will be a jungle! like ours was haha! I hope he enjoys it next year and has lots of outdoor mini adventures x
I wish my helpers had a smile like that too!
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