How to Feed a Henry

Henry has been very excited to help in the garden this spring. Last month, we pulled weeds, prepped the soil, and planted peas and potatoes .    Removing a few more weeds / Making a mud pie. This week at the garden center, we chose three vegetable starts that we have planted before: tomatoes, summer squash and peppers. We also selected three types of veggies we have not grown before. I picked out cauliflower starts. Daddy asked for cucumbers. And Henry wanted tatsoi -- I don't think I have ever seen tatsoi before, but Henry insisted that it come home with us. Henry thought this cat statue at the garden center was in need of a snuggle. Digging a hole for our pepper starts. When I asked Henry to help select nasturtium seeds, he chose the red and orange varieties. He really enjoyed poking holes in the dirt to plant the seeds. Planting nasturtium seeds.

I love having Henry help me in the garden. We are working together, getting dirty and discovering nature. Gardening also teaches patience -- Henry has already been asking when the strawberries, raspberries and blueberries will be ready to eat. We'll have to wait for the flowers, bees and sunshine to do their work first. There are lots of weeds to pull. Some weeds even have pretty purple flowers. Using a rake to turn the soil. Hoeing the dirt. Pulling more weeds. Finding wiggly worms. Planting peas and potatoes. Cooling off in the shade with a hard-earned snack -- strawberry yogurt popsicle.