Blogging From A to Z Challenge: G is for Gardening

Good morning! In case you missed it, I'm participating in the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My theme this year is 26 Super Fun Learning Activities You Can Do From Home. That's right, I'm conjuring up 26 "educational" ideas to keep you busy while you're safe at home. But don't get too hung up on the word "educational"—so far, they've all be fun activities. Right?

Last Wednesday, I kicked off the challenge with Art for the letter A. On Thursday, B was for Baking. My sister and I did some chemistry on Friday, and I rounded off the week with a family dance off. On Monday, we did some exercise (which was way more fun than you think) and yesterday was all about family.

We're officially one week into the challenge—are YOU ready for an exciting "G" activity? Here we go...

G is for Gardening

Wait, gardening in April, you ask. I know, I know, it sounds silly. In most of the province—and definitely in my back yard—snow still covers the ground. And even without the extra snow and cold this past month, Mom never starts her garden until about mid May.

But usually, she starts that garden with plants from the greenhouse—and this year, well, we're not entirely sure the greenhouses will be open or what they'll have to offer. No way she wants to be without flowers and vegetables (we have a small garden, but it's always full.) So...today we're starting some plants from seeds.

Before I talk about what we're planting—okay, I have to tell you one thing because I'm so excited...Mom bought WHITE pumpkin seeds. White! Won't those be spooky for Halloween?—I should talk about the educational benefits of gardening. I mean, that's what this theme is all about, right?

First off, gardening teaches you how to be responsible for something. I had a cactus once in my room, and well, it didn't make it. Mom says they don't need much attention, but I should have given it some. So, she's putting me in charge of the vegetables. I'll have to plant them in the peat moss pods, check on them daily, water them when required, and transplant them to a bigger container until we can put them outside. I've got this!

As you know, my grandparents own a canola farm, and so I know a lot about where food comes from, but gardening teaches about that too—not to mention how long it takes certain crops to grow (Mom says the radishes will come up quickly, but the carrots might take a little longer to germinate, for example), and what factors contribute to a plant's growth, such as water, sunshine, and cold.

And not now—but when it's time to plant the seedlings in the ground outside—you can really learn a lot about soil. What's so great about that? I thought you'd never ask. <grin>

In the Superman Duffy educational graphic novel Beneath the SOIL!, "cartoon me" goes underground and comes across some creatures of unusual size and shape. It's the spookiest book in the series, but you'd be surprised what you might find in a handful of soil...and I don't just mean worms.

Okay, time to get planting. Mom says we have seeds for: tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, lettuce, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, peppers, and pumpkins. PLUS, she has about 10 flower varieties including daisies (her favourite), sweet peas (my sister's favourite), and more. Whew! Looks like I need to get a move on.

Gotta jet! If you are planting an indoor garden this month, be sure to share your pictures in the comments below, or email them to me at chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. And of course, I'll see you tomorrow for the letter "H."

~ Chase Superman Duffy