By Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities
Strangely enough I found myself shoveling snow and walking the dog in a rainstorm all within hours of each other. The snow quickly disappeared and neither children nor dog seemed to mind the rain as much as I did. Seeing my children spin around in the rain and stomp through puddles reminds me why I love living in the Adirondacks. Each season brings change and a variety of things to do.

At our house we have started our seeds for the summer garden. During these shoulder season days the kids constantly check the progress of their favorite vegetables. Though some seeds are best sown directly into the garden, I am not one to stop my children from willingly planting beans. We can always throw more into the garden once the danger of frost has passed.

Some people may not have the space for an outside garden; that has never stopped us. Even apartment dwellers can start seedlings on window sills or hanging planters. We found our children are just as interested in watching a flower emerge from inside a dirt-filled recycled yogurt container than in the ground. The only materials needed are a packet of seeds and potting soil, all found at local hardware stores and gardening centers for very little cost.

There is still plenty of snow in the back country for a nice easy snowshoe but today we are spring cleaning and thinking of all that has been hiding beneath the snow. Our children are fortunate. We have a south-facing house so they’ve picked Mesclun all winter from our indoor window boxes. Now it’s time for our kids to help plan the summer garden and figure out where to place the flowers, fruits and veggies.

Remember to involve children whether you are planting fields or just seedlings in window boxes, they will appreciate the experience. Make sure each plant has a special sign so the kids don’t forget what to look for. Have them draw or paint a picture of the grown plant, attach it to a bamboo skewer or stick and place it into the edge of pot. (I also label with tape and attach it to each container just in case your younger child decides to switch all the pictures. Yes, I speak from experience.)

Community and school gardens are another way of educating children about where their food comes from. There are wonderful grants available for anyone wishing to take the initiative. There is really no better way to get your children to love vegetables then to share the experience of growing them.

Though a bit off the subject but for those in need of a taste of summer, April 12th is Ben and Jerry’s annual FREE Cone Day. Adirondack participating Ice Cream Scoop Shops are located on Canada Street in Lake George, Phila Street in Saratoga Springs and Main Street in Lake Placid. Now for 33 years, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops celebrate customer support along with Fair Trade business practices and activism. I can’t think of a better way to welcome in spring. Enjoy!

Photo and content © Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Activities ™. Diane is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities Guidebook Series including the recent released Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks Your Guide to Over 300 Activities for Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Keene, Jay and Wilmington areas (with GPS coordinates) This is the first book of a four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities. The next three editions will cover Plattsburgh to Ticonderoga, Long Lake to Old Forge and Newcomb to Lake George.