The next time you want to toss out those old toys think twice. Some of them could add some real character to your garden.

How about that old dump truck, there is even room in the back to plant something.

[attachmentid=26] Brightly colored beach buckets can add color to the garden and even a deck.

No toys, well how about old tea pots, or misfit glasses, cups, dishes, or pans.

Pick a theme for your garden and add a little fun to it. We would love to see pictures of your garden too.

Spring is in the air and planting season is coming soon.

Time to make the plans for this years garden (s).

The first step is to see who will be involved with the project. This can be a great time for the family to share weekends together. Or a great way for children to get involved and feel important and pride in their efforts.

Now you know who - so you also know how many gardens you will need to have. Yes each person should be able to have a space of land to call theirs. You can also have one for the whole family if planting vegetables that feed everyone.

The next step is for each person to make a list of what they want to plant. The one who likes to cook might want to plant some herbs. The animal lover might want to plant some cat nip for the cat, or plants that produce seeds to feed the birds, or carrots for the rabbit, or special plants that attract butterflies. One might want to plant a few pumpkin seeds to have in time for Halloween to make a Jack-o-lantern. Even a teenage girl might want to plant flowers to add color to her room.

Not sure what to plant! Well then it's time for a field trip (s). Why not a day at the library to find out more about plants and gardening. Then you could spend time at a green house. This is a great way to see what a plant will look like once it has grown. It is also a way to find interesting plants that you may never have seen before.

Everyone now should know what they want to grow and have turned in their lists to you. It's up to you to map out your grounds now to figure out who will plant what where. You do not need to have a lot of space to work with, you just need to plan well. Flowers are great because they can go anywheres, boarders around the side walk, in flower pots for the porch, window boxes for the windows, even hanging baskets. Tall items like sun flowers can be put around a flag pool or in the corners of your fence, some place to tie them as they grow up tall. Even something as large as pumpkins; plant 10 seeds in a corner spot, and maybe half will grow strong and pull the week ones. As they grow move their veins along the ground around the back of the yard fence. If you don't have a fence you will now have a cool boarder around your yard.

Time now to prep the areas. Each person has been given their place to plant but first it needs to cleaned up, dug up, weeded, or just marked off before the planting starts.

The big day comes where everyone goes to buy their plants. This does not have to be expensive, if everyone knows what their budget is first. Starting from seeds is always cheaper then buying those ready to plant.

It's planting time; this can be lots of fun but lots of work, so it might be nice to plan some lemonade to drink during, and a grill out after all the work is done.

Then set aside a little time after dinner each night for everyone to water or pull a few weeds if needed, and time to watch the garden grow.

But it does not need to stop there. You may need to make time to build little fences, signs, scarecrows or windmills, or anything else needed to make each area special to the planter.

Remember to take pictures of the planter and their garden on planting day, then on the day the items bloom into flowers, and then if there is a day to harvest.

Plans today for a garden will bring you and your family lots of time together, pride in each other, and memories that will last long after the plants die.

Well this is where I am going to try to make my garden. so far all we have gotten done is tilling and weeding the area that is clear and mixed some peat moss in with it to help it retain water. the soil is really in poor condition and I guess no one had taken care of it in about 5 years according to the neighbors, so I have a lot of work to do. The tree in the middle is completely dead but we can't get rid of it unless the power company takes care of it because it has grown all around the power lines..... And there are about 6 rhubarb plants that no one wants that is really proving to be a pain in the butt to remove since about 4 of them are growing around the base of the lilac tree that we would like to keep. Once we are done and finally get some things planted I'll take new pics for all to see





We are planing on planting a bunch of pepper and chilie plants and after that we aren't sure yet.

Harvest Time

It's never too soon to start thinking of harvesting, flourishing backyard gardens, bustling farmers' markets and numerous roadside produce stands make it apparent that summer's bounty is ripe for preserving and picking.

Take the time on the weekends to check out local farms where you can pick your own. It's a great learning tool for children to see where and how the plants grow and the work it takes to pick them. Plus what a better way to support your local farmers.

Then when you get home with your items you have all enjoyed picking, it is time to make something. The fun continues when everyone is in the kitchen working together, like peeling the apples needed to make a fresh apple pie. What a way to end a perfect day together then eating something you have made together and the memories to cherish.

This is also a great time for canning, freezing and dehydrating items to be able to enjoy them during the winter months. Since today is so modern the need to stock your pantry may not be needed, but being able to enjoy those great summer vegetables and herbs can be such a treat. This can also help with the soaring prices of produce and being out of season at your local food store.

Share your harvest stories with us.

Add some color - a rainbow colors are available to you!

What colors do you see in your back yard or garden? Green is always a good color, but what about those bold and creative colors!

Treat yourself to some bright paint, you can always cover it up with another paint if you don't like it.

Paint the mailbox, flower boxes, around the door and window frames, or the door. Maybe the porch steps could use a new coat. Paint the gate a different color from the fench. A new coat on a porch swing, wicker chair or picnic table. What about those terra-cotta flowerpots - add some fun stripes or polka dots. How about an accent on a birdcage, birdbath or the doghouse. Remember to have some fun with the colors and make your area pop.

Different curtins, pillows and seat cushions can make all the difference in the world to your yard also.

Give your outdoor entertaining and garden area a unique new look to it. Even if you only change one thing each year it will make it new and fun again.