Discover the Fun of Gardening

March 31, 2011   

It's never too early to start helping in the garden. Kim started very young, harvesting onions for Grandpa Kerby (pictured). The next generation continues the tradition, with Abigail (pictured, below) learning all about flowers from her grandpa. It's fun to be outside and in the dirt, no matter what your age, but it can be especially fun for young gardeners. Many of us remember helping parents and grandparents, trimming flowers or planting seeds, and it's often these memories that have created the love of gardening we have today. Below are some fun ideas for gardening with the whole family. And for a little extra fun, bring the kids out this Saturday, April 2nd from 10 to 2 for the first Kerby's Kids gardening event. Kids will have a chance to learn a little bit about how plants grow and have some fun planting their own flower. Parents, you can check out all of the amazing spring color by taking a stroll on the boardwalk. The garden always offers something for everyone.   

To get all the info on Kerby's fun events, check out the event calendar. Spring is rolling right along, but there are plenty great workshops still to come, including herb gardening, a kid's workshop on butterfly gardening, the Easter Egg Hunt and our tantalizing Tropical Fruit workshop. It's a great year to Discover the Fun of Gardening.

Happy Gardening,
Kim, Joey and Mark

In This Issue
Gardening Ideas for the Family

Upcoming Events

 

Gardening Ideas for the Family

There is something to do for everyone in the garden, and it's a place where so many lessons can be learned. Planting seeds and watching them grow teaches patience and responsibility. Tending a garden or weeding flower beds can teach the value of work. And just being outside in the fresh air is great exercise and wonderful therapy no matter what your age. Below are some fun ideas for getting the entire family out in the garden and for having lots of fun too!

 
 
Grow some Veggies
Too often in today's busy world, we get everything we need from a supermarket shelf, packaged and ready to eat. Planting a veggie garden can help children learn where food comes from and how it grows. Make it fun by letting kids pick out there own packet of seeds, plant them and watch them grow. It will teach them a great lesson and might even get them to eat a few more veggies at dinner!
 
 
 
 
Plant a Family Tree
Trees mark the passage of time as they grow each year and change with the seasons. If trees could talk, they'd probably have some amazing stories to tell us. Create a cool tradition by planting your own family tree. Whether it's a delicious citrus or a beautiful elm, the tree will hold family memories for years to come. Take a family picture in front of the tree each year and watch the changes in nature reflected in your own family. Be sure to enlist the kids help in this project! Download Kerby's planting instructions to make sure you get the tree off to a great start.
 

Themed Gardens
Pick something your kids are into and plant a themed garden. Do the kid's love pizza? Then plant a pizza garden with a tomato plant, basil and oregano. If you have little girls, plant a tea garden with mint, chamomile and lavender. For younger kids, plant an ABC garden, using whatever flowers you love and making alphabet signs for each plant. And of course don't forget butterflies, kids will have fun learning about all of the different types of butterflies and watching them flutter about. What kind of garden will you create?
 
 
 
Flower Art
Bring some of the fun of gardening inside (great for a rainy day). Have kids pick their favorite flowers from the garden, then press the flowers between sheets of waxed paper. Let them dry under some weight (maybe those dusty old encyclopedias) and once dry, use them to create a work of art by gluing them in fun paterns on a sheet of colorful paper. It will create a lasting memory of this years garden. 
 

 

Everyone can have a great time in the garden. The time spent outside, laughing, playing and working together will be memories shared for a lifetime. At the Kids' event this Saturday, we'll have fun teaching kids how plants grow, how to plant them and helping them create their own flower pot to take home with them. We hope to see you there.


Upcoming Events
 

Kerby's has lots of fun planned for the garden in 2011, including workshop favorites on vegetables, herbs and roses, as well as some new kids gardening events that will get the whole family involved. 2011 will be a great year to Discover the Fun of Gardening.

 

 

Kerby's Kids Gardening Activity
Saturday, April 2 from 10am - 2pm

Little hands, a little dirt and lots of fun; it's the first ever Kerby's Kids event. Come out with the family for this fun event that will let everyone get their hands a little dirty. The kids will get to learn a little about plants, and create their own masterpiece to take home and watch grow.  

 

 

 

 

Workshop: Tropical Fruit Trees
Saturday, April 9th at 10:00 am

Juicy and delicious, there is nothing like picking fruit from a tree you've grown and eating it on the spot. Whether you like mangos or jakfruit, kiwi or papaya, or jaboticaba and custard apple, there is a fruit to fit every taste. After the workshop, you'll be able to sample some of the delicious fruits that can be grown in our area.

 

 

 

Kerby's Kids Workshop: Butterfly Gardening
Saturday, April 16 at 10am

The delightful flutter of butterflies in your yard - it's like nature is trying to show off.  Come out to this workshop to learn how to create your own beautiful butterfly garden. The workshop will include a demo planting and will be kid-friendly, so bring the whole family for a little fun in the garden.  

 

 

 

Kerby's Kids Event: 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd at 10:00 am

Bring your Easter basket and get ready for a whole lot of fun . . . it's the 2nd annual Easter Egg Hunt at Kerby's. Starting right at 10:00am, be ready to hunt and see how many Easter Eggs you can find amongst the beautiful flowers.

 

 

 

Workshop: Growing Roses
Saturday, April 30 at 10am

Presented by the Tampa Rose Society

A rose by any other name . . . can grow in your garden. Discover everything you need to plant and care for beautiful roses at this workshop presented by the Tampa Rose Society.

 

 

 

Workshop: Herb Gardening
Saturday, May 7th at 10:00 am

It's mother's day weekend, so treat mom to a fun workshop on herb gardening. Learn how to plant and grow all types of tasty herbs, and how to use them in cooking. We'll even have a few samples for everyone to try. A great way to share some time with mom!

 

 



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Kerby's Nursery

2311 S. Parsons Ave.

Seffner, FL 33584
(813) 685-3265
www.kerbysnursery.com


Spring Hours
Open Seven Days a Week
Monday - Thursday,  9:00am - 5:30pm
Friday & Saturday,  9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday,  9:00am - 4:00pm