Organic Gardens

Any parent knows that long winters and young children don’t mix. I feel that sentiment in triplicate, being the mother to 3 preschool-aged boys. The novelty of snow boots and hot chocolate wore off around President’s Day, and we’re ready to shed winter like an emerging seedling sheds its seed capsule.

Although I have a very long fuse when it comes to tolerating the mischief of little boys, I was beginning to feel like an extra on the set of Lord of the Flies. Horrible F-words defined our long winter days spent indoors, including furniture Olympics, flying objects, and fighting. When the calendar announced spring was here, our weather didn’t cooperate. When some warm air did dare to trickle up from the Gulf of Mexico, Arctic winds from Canada fought back, producing tornadoes, severe storms, and hail.

I haven’t put away my long sleeved shirts and pants yet, but I think we’ve passed the tipping point where balmy winds will replace frigid ones. My children’s attitudes have undergone the same lovely metamorphosis as my gardens since we’ve emerged from our winter habitat, and I’m thrilled about having 3 little helpers at my side this growing season.

Each child wields his own watering can, and the oldest two boys are learning the difference between a perennial and a weed. I’m as proud as a mother can be as I nurture the next generation of organic gardeners.