Gardening

I get very envious when I see other blogs that talk about their lovely vegetable gardens. I don't have a green thumb, and even if I did our homeowner's association strictly forbids growing plants of an edible nature. (Shh, don't tell them about the basil and oregano I have growing... sort of... in the backyard!) I do believe it's important for kids to get out in the dirt, though, so even though we've got several strikes against us, I keep trying to get the kids involved in garden projects. Although I think growing food is more fun for kids, we've developed an interest in growing edible plants for some non-human types, namely butterflies. Our interest was sparked after a visit to a butterfly garden with The Middle Child's Brownie troop. They told us how easy it is to attract butterflies if you put out the right plants. Several trips to the local garden center later, we're in business. So far no butterflies, though. We can, however, count sore thighs (mine) and lots of mosquito bites. (Mine and The Middle Child's.)

Here's how everything turned out in our little butterfly garden:



PS: The kids were so excited when we saw a monarch butterfly on our half dead milkweed today!! (July 14th) The milkweed is across the yard from the flower garden so it's close by, but not pictured. The 5 plants have been sitting out in the planting bed in the pots we bought them in but we got them in the ground and watered them pretty quickly after that so most of them perked up a little. I have room for 5 more plants so it's time to head to the garden center again; if we get caterpillars we need more food for them!