| As every single mom knows, your kids need their | | | | when it's best to plant certain things. You will get a |
| fruits and veggies. But the prices for the best foods | | | | lot of advice from someone who has been in the |
| in the supermarket seem to get higher every month! | | | | planting business for a long time, so when you do |
| You can remedy the money problem and still provide | | | | ask, have a pen and paper handy! |
| great foods for your family by planting your own | | | | You can find seeds at your local co-op or better yet, |
| garden. | | | | barter with a farmer or fellow gardener to get what |
| If you have a big backyard, barter services from a | | | | you need. Some local organizations offer plants for |
| local farmer and ask him to till up the ground for you. | | | | free to those who fall within income guidelines, and |
| You can also rent a tiller for a small amount from any | | | | food stamps or the EBT card covers the purchase |
| farm supply store or your local co-op. If you don't | | | | of seeds from your grocery store. |
| have the room on your property for a garden or if | | | | Don't purchase expensive fertilizers for your garden - |
| you are renting your home, a container garden can | | | | look into ways to fertilize without harmful chemicals, |
| work wonders. You can find large flowerpots or | | | | such as using compost. Fertilizers can be very harmful |
| other planting containers at your local thrift store. | | | | if used improperly, and storing them in a home with |
| Make sure your garden spot is sunny, and has great | | | | curious children is never a good idea anyway. |
| access to rainfall. If you use a container garden, keep | | | | Speaking of kids, get them involved! Teach them |
| it on a counter inside where it has plenty of sunlight, | | | | how to pull weeds and what to watch for when the |
| or put it on a balcony or porch to lessen the need | | | | plants are growing. Find information at your local |
| for watering. Choose plants that are easy to maintain | | | | library on the stages of plant life and turn your |
| and grow - tomatoes are always a good bet, and | | | | garden into a science lesson. When the fruits and |
| since they grow straight up on inexpensive "tomato | | | | vegetables are ripe, let the kids pick them. If you |
| cages," they can save you lots of room. Peppers can | | | | have a large area in which to garden, make it extra |
| be grown this way, too. | | | | fun for the kids by planting strawberries, |
| Depending on the region you are in, the proper | | | | watermelons and pumpkins. There's nothing like a |
| planting time might be earlier in the spring or closer to | | | | fresh watermelon, warm from the sun, for a |
| the summer months. Pick up an almanac and look at | | | | summertime dessert! |
| the dates for your area, or ask a seasoned farmer | | | | |