Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in philadelphia, PA

Gardening With Your Little Ones

by Cecily Kellogg

March 16, 2009

Okay. I am NOT an expert at this. I barely garden. When I say garden, I mean buy some already blooming plants, put them in the little space in front of my porch, and then water them until they, well, die. I usually stay super simple like, oh, impatiens. Or begonias. Really, for years and years all I've had are those two flowers.

But now my daughter is hurtling toward being three years old and I know that it is time to take advantage of the coming spring and start to teach her a bit about plants and growing stuff and seasons and that sort of thing. In fact, yesterday we were hanging out at our favorite place (the playground at Clark Park) and she saw some volunteers putting water bags around the trees. She asked me what they were for, and I told her they fill them with water and that helps the trees grow. 

She then promptly sat down to watch the tree grow. Yes, really. She sat for ten minutes. And she NEVER sits for ten minutes at home, much less at the playground.

So we have some learning to do.

I think what we will do is head to a store and buy some seeds first. I've never planted right from seeds, so I'll have to do a bit of research, but I know that means we'll get to watch little tiny shoots come up and that will be a delight for my daughter. We have to pick plants that do well in shade (our front yard is blessed with a massive beautiful maple tree, and we are in full shade all summer long). But we have a couple sunny windowsills inside that we can grow the little starter plants in, so I think that will be great fun. 

Have you done this before? I'd love to hear suggestions, etc. I also would love tips for the best spot to buy seeds! Please, let me know what you know. I'm begging you. :)

Morris Arboretum

by Cecily Kellogg

September 15, 2008

I generally enjoy arboretums, being kind of a plant nerd (but not a gardener; odd, isn't it?). I love seeing plants in all stages of their lives, memorizing their Latin names, and I completely enjoy walking long beautiful cultivated paths and pretending it is my private garden. Oh, and I like taking my kid with me. Morris Arboretum is one of those beautiful spots in Philadelphia. Located in the  Read more...

Enjoying the Green Thumbs of Others

by Cecily Kellogg

September 15, 2008

I don't have a green thumb. In fact, I would describe my thumbs as black. I cannot keep plants alive to save my life. Every single year I buy beautiful hanging baskets of flowers for my porch, and WITHOUT FAIL a month later they have no blossoms and are half dead. I have no idea what I do, but it's clear that plants HATE me. Luckily, Philadelphia has lots of other folks with green thumbs. In  Read more...