Thursday, May 7, 2009

the garden of aiden and sky


This year we decided to have a vegetable garden in our back yard. We did this partly to have fresh vegetables but also because we wanted Aiden and Sky to know where their food comes from. Living in suburbia, we run the risk of our kids thinking their food is made at the grocery store. Not long ago I watched a program on TV where they interviewed 10 to 12 year olds that thought fruits and vegetables are made in factories. Even worse, they had no idea that meat came from an animal. Yikes!

There is nothing more relaxing than a beautiful vegetable garden. The act of working in the garden is immensely calming...especially after a long day at the office. I feel that gardening can lend a more spiritual link to life and nature. Not only are we taking part in the miracle of growth, we also become intimately linked to the process of nurturing our own lives. I can't think of a healthier activity for Aiden and Sky.


"Sky, you have to stand on the rocks not on the soil", Aiden says in a deep and serious voice to his sister.

Aiden and Bobba consulting each other on what should be planted where.


Sky loves to play in the garden but she doesn't like to be told what to do. A few minutes before this picture was taken Aiden told her not to stand on the soil. She came running to me with tears in her eyes saying "Aiden said "No!" to me."

Aiden also loves to play in and around the garden. He's been gardening for so long that he can tell you that all plants need three things to live "water, dirt, and sun...oh and some one to plant them in the ground like me or Daddy."


Aiden loves to get his hands in the dirt...and I'm happy about that. I feel that kids should play hard, get dirty, and be at one with nature.


This garden has been a lot of hard work but we've had quite a crew working on it including Aiden, Sky, Daddy, Mommy, and most of all Bobba.


Aiden spraying some insecticide (water) on the plants at the edge of the vegetable garden.


"Daddy, tell me when you're ready for some more dirt, okay?"

By the way, Aiden's overalls were just a coincidence. He had just come home from school and this was the the outfit he picked our for himself in the morning.


This little junior gardener needs to get used to the idea of having dirt on her hands.


Adam planting some cucumbers. Our garden has tomato plants, cucumbers, string beans, arugula, bell peppers, chili peppers, mint, basil, and strawberries.


"Sky, look at that worm! I bet you can put some water on him. He likes to be wet. " say Aiden as he tries to get his sister to do his dirty work.

4 comments:

  1. Haha...I don't like getting my hands dirty either!! :)

    You will have to protect your strawberries. Ethan does the garden at his parent's house and the chipmunks eat all of the strawberries. We did get an uneaten one to taste that the little creatures hadn't gotten to yet and it was so sweet!! The best strawberry I've ever had....it's no wonder they eat them all.

    I love your garden! I will have to show Ethan the pics too...he will be jealous :)

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  2. Chipmunks?! They eat strawberries too? Oh no, we have hundreds of chipmunks in our front yard. We figured the deer would munch on our garden so we're having a fence put up soon but that's not going to keep chipmunks out. Oh well, maybe we'll get lucky and get one to taste too.

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  3. How exciting! First of all the mean pampas grass with 10,000 bees are gone and Voila! A garden grows. The rocks as stepping stone is so smart to keep little feet on the right path.

    Aiden I always had a problem growing peas in my garden when you Daddy was a little boy. He'd be out in the garden weeding for me and eat all the peas before I could pick them. I guess they were good for him because he grew big and strong and I didn't have to cook them. He loved them raw off the vine. I hope you will grow something you like and eat it off the vine too.

    Sky, darling priss, a little dirt makes you even cuter...if that is even possible. Brush it off on your pants and you're good to go.

    I tell you Michelle and the White House have nothing on you when it comes to gardens. That also don't have a built in Bobba! Your garden ROCKS!!

    I can't wait to come to visit and have a fresh salad!

    XXXOOO Nana Beth

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  4. What a WONDERFUL FAMILY project!! Not only are you teaching your children about life, working together and watching something grow, but to eat a proper balanced diet fresh from the back yard. You Rossi's never cease to amaze me and you have to be the busiest people in the world. It is also so great that Bobba comes to help add that generazational flavor to the garden and the learning project. Great JOB!!

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