European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 1, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Involving youngsters Inho gardening 3a5 Phon  Hamlet Bright Flowers such As daffodils Holt Delight child. A Byearl Aronson associated Pressi introducing youngsters to the marvels of Plant Lite is one of he educational bin coils of a children s Garden which also stimulates a sense of wonder and a respect for living things. That s the View of the Brooklyn botanic Garden where or 74 years More than 15,000 children Havo cultivated the same Patch of City land in the world s old Cal continuous program of its Hind the Success of Tho crops is Only one of the rewards the children reap says Betsy Jacobs the Garden s associate director of education children s programs of equal importance Are the lessons they scam Soll disc Ponc first hand experience dignity of labor generosity respect Lor the rights and property or others respect Tor the environment responsibility and giving of one s  gardening is an acceptable Way for youngsters id gel dirt under their fingernails and learn something valuable the will hold dear Lor the rest of their lives. Even Tho Dill cult child can respond with innocent wonderment to the Miracle of growing things. How do parents or teachers involve youngsters in Home gardening Hera Are some suggestions from specialists Start Small 5 Square feet is a Large responsibility for a child begin Wilh seeds because if you buy plants your child will miss out an the Cycle of seeds soil Sun and water. The Best Way for a child to learn is by watching so deep the coaching to a minimum. Let them Walch you Tor a while before you turn them Loose o Plant. Nevei Waler or care Tor the plants your Seit except when helping very Young children. Don t Lay a guilt trip on the child i Lowers or vegetables die of neglect. Say nothing the child Learned a lesson that May Sticht. Pul a Low wire edging around the child s Garden which May be a separate area in the Home Garden or a rail of so Paramo land. The wire is intended to keep out siblings household pets and adult Teel it also gives the cd Ted a sense of ownership Lei your Young Gardener pull i in some mow is it he or she want s to and to make bouquets in vases or foil lined cans. A simple device to help children Wal i plants is a roller pain i Iray with holes perforated Wilt a Nail. Plant seeds in rows parallel to the Iray about 6 inches away. The stay can be filled Wilh a email bucket Ana will act As a Reservoir. A water Hose in Tho hands of a Little one lends to Wash away seeds and Knock of vhf seeding and soak the child manure water or a weak solution of fertilizer can be used occasionally to demonstrate that plants can Benefit from extra feedings. I pain what Plant loads do Lor Lowera and vegetables. Lol Iho child be a part of Tho process of selecting whal to plan but remember that Case and dependability Are big actors. It would Bedill cult to find an easier to grow More dependable and spectacular Plant than annual sunflowers. Children will gel a kick out of growing such enormous plants. The seeds Are easy to handle and Quick to sprout. Few insects bother sunflowers Beans and summer Squash seeds also Are easy to handle. Climbing vines such As morning glories also make Good first Flowers but you should string these plants up a Inco or sturdy pole. Easy lower varieties include marigolds zinnias and Cosmos. Another idea is la buy mixture at Tower seeds ready made or children. Some Are sold As annual Flower mixture Cul Lowar  or wildflower  any of those con produce Beau till species and Cun Silles. These mixtures thrive even in not thinned much Ted or watered Tor a while. Tha idea is to get he child s attention and hold interest with projects that gel Quick or spectacular results. First show children the dry or sleeping seeds and How they Waks up when moistened or planted. Line Tho inside of a Clear Glass or a Wilh seeds a few inches april. Put a lid on. Leave the Jar on a Kitchen counter making sure the Lowel remains Wel. In a Lew Days seeds will swell and burst open roots will grow Down while stems and leaves grow up. Page 14 the stars and stripes