Thursday, March 19, 2015

seeds and eggs

There is so much information out there on gardening.  Sometimes it's just best if you put the books down, go out and buy yourself a pack of seeds, throw them in the dirt and see if they grow.  Don't make it so hard but I guess that's just our nature.  We started some of our seeds.  I'm not an expert on the subject but I do know that I like saving money on the garden and this is one way to do it.  Plus the beans like to watch them grow.



They each picked out their packs and then we put them in some little cups for a soak overnight.  




Play in-between of course.



Me busy reusing the millions of old bricks from the old patio to line the back bed.  I figure if I lay 10 a day I may be done by July!



 Again my little station isn't fancy.  This is the kids art table.  I put command hooks on top and attach a shop light to hang under the table for my seeds.  We are growing all kinds of things from flowers to veggies.  Whatever takes is a bonus.  


Zinnias are starting to say hi!  


And because Easter is near we have started working on some eggs.  Washi tape and paper strips.  A fun and easy one!  






So there you have it!  Check out this fantastic lady for some organic seed companies....


Happy Making, Baking, and Growing Friends!


65 comments:

  1. Hi Nicole,
    Your beans are the most beautiful thing you have growing in your garden! They are SO darn cute!
    It looks like you're getting great weather. We are closer to summer every day! Yipee! It is fun to watch the seeds start to sprout. I'll be starting mine the first of April.
    Love your Easter project!

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  2. It will be fun for the kids to watch those seeds grow. Cute eggs too with the tape.
    10 bricks a day is better than NO bricks a day. xo Diana

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  3. Lovely to see the children having fun joining in. I'm going to plant some with mine at the weekend I think. CJ xx

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  4. Your beans are so lucky to have a great Mother like you.

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  5. How cute are your beans Nicole!!! It's really cool how you get them involved in gardening and creative activities as it's both fun and such a wonderful way to spend time together. Those eggs look so festive :)
    Hope you're having a great week!

    Acure Organics is a brand I discovered recently. They're carried in Target and some other drugstores and their argan oil cleanser is quite lovely.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  6. This is such a great thing to do with them! They will learn a lot and they'll be thrilled when the seeds start to sprout. I love the photo of them playing, is that mud on the ground? Oy. I bet they loved it! :)

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  7. Your set up looks advanced to me....I just have seeds in egg cartons in a sunny window :). We'll see what happens!

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  8. The seeds and Easter eggs look like fun!

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  9. I've started some seeds, too, but my station isn't as clever as yours! Great idea. Your border is coming along. I reused our old landscaping blocks a few years ago and it took awhile but I was so proud of myself. You go, girl! Bet you finish before July! Lol! I'm giving another Master Gardener presentation this time to our Early Childhood Center and am reading the book you suggested , Zinnia's Flower Garden. Then we'll plant our flower seeds. I know they'll love it. Thanks for for suggesting it! Have a great SPRING weekend!!

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  10. Oh my gosh, I'm so jealous of your little zinnia seedlings. I need to set up a temporary station like that. You're proving seeds can be started anywhere and now I feel like I'm just making excuses. I did stick some radish and carrot seeds in the driveway planter. The radishes are up and so dang cute. I put garlic in for the first time ever, and it's up too. Yay! But I really need to get some annuals goin'. It would save so much money!

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  11. I love how your littlest one is so serious. The little boy bean is getting so tall! One day they will appreciate all your hard work on the bricks.

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  12. Oh wow! First thing: your beans are sooo cute!!! I admire your talent in garden stuff Nicole, I am not very good or maybe I should say I don't try enough. ..
    But all you seem to have so much fun in different ways, the Easter eggs are so nice as well.

    Happy weekend!

    Lluisa xoxo

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  13. I really like the idea of your lining the garden with old patio bricks...looks so pretty:) Didn't realized that Zinnia can be sown earlier...We better get our zinnia seeds started like you too! Definitely lots of fun going around in your home...wishing you and your little ones for much more:)

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  14. Your beans look so adorable with their seeds! The decorated eggs look fantastic - I may have to pinch your washi tape idea! Wishing you and your lovely family a fun weekend. x

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  15. Your kids are adorable! And growing seeds sounds very interesting.

    House cleaning Chelsea

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  16. the most exiting moment for kids and me it is gardening!!!
    your kids looks amazing!!! and you looks busy friend!!
    thank you for sharing,
    Miss, xx

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  17. The weather here is finally improving so hopefully I can start some seeds soon. I love the Bean's Easter eggs. It looks like they has some fun making them.

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  18. I love the washi tape eggs! They turned out great.

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  19. love! oh and nicole! i have to say that i ordered some seeds yesterday from the place you mentioned before in one of your posts - all good things organic seeds. :) thank you for the link!

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  20. You are the "bestest" mama, my friend :) It's so much fun for the little ones to watch the plants grown, isn't it :) My son can't seem to take his eyes off his seeds when we plant something.

    LOVE your Easter eggs! What a darling idea. Happy Spring, my friend!

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  21. that is a clever way to set up a seed starting area-and fun for the Beans. I agree, sometimes we just need to jump in and do it
    Happy first day of Spring Hugs Kathy

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  22. So much fun making Easter eggs and other decorations. I used to have lots of fun with my two when they were small. Live your plant nursery, so
    Many kids have no idea where their food comes from. I'm super pumped today just got 29 bales of straw for you guessed it ,Straw bale gardening!! Went to a garden club meeting last night and I was sold!!

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  23. this is nice
    you have a very nice blog dear
    i am following you, please follow back.
    http://melodyjacob1.blogspot.com/
    thank you

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  24. it must be exciting for the kids to see their seed grow! have a lovely weekend, dear Nicole :)

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  25. We really do love to over complicate everything! Nature isn't really like that is it? Things want to grow - give them the basics and away they go xx

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  26. Happy Spring! Love the eggs. The children are going to love watching the plants!

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  27. You are such an incredible Mother Nicole, I love the way you teach your kids about nature, growing and life. You are amazing my friend.
    Meredith

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  28. how lovely you're teaching your beans about gardening, they will love watching those seeds grow and the fact that THEY did it :) it's wonderful! they will learn so much about nature and life. happy gardening and spring! :)

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  29. Your kids are having a wonderful day. Nice to see them playing and gardening...

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  30. Wow! You guys have been busy looks like it has been lots of fun love the Easter Eggs too ;o)

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  31. Everything about this radiates happiness. So glad you are teaching your kids about nature and having them explore their surroundings. Your plant set up is creative and laying ten blocks a day IS progress. :)

    The beans Easter decoration are very cute and I like the picture of them displayed. Nice work, kiddos! :D

    Have a lovely week ahead, Nicole.

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  32. I'm doing the same thing at the moment...putting little seeds into pots and hoping for the best! (Except of course because we're in the southern hemisphere my seedlings reside out of doors. I love you little indoor set up!!)
    Keeping it simple is the best way to go with almost everything in life. The ridiculous thing is that simplicity seems to be one of those things that can be difficult to achieve!

    Love that you take the time to encourage your little ones in both the garden and being creative in other ways!

    Hope you have a great week Nicole,

    Sarah xx

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  33. Brilliant! Gardening with kids is a must, I've just started getting my little lady involved (she's 2.5 years) and she loves it. Something about it just feeds the soul! X

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  34. I have never grown zinnias from seed, might have to try that next spring. You all look like you have been having fun creating and growing.

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  35. Hi! I love how practical you are. Last year I got those fancy seed planters (all seedlings died btw) and I see you are using the super low cost of transparent cups. Or your clever way to hang the light.
    Brilliant.
    I subscribed.

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  36. That's an amazing way for the kids to enjoy and realize how important it is to do their part for the environment. Kudos to you!

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  37. I'm totally with you. The best way to learn about gardening is to just throw in a few seeds and see what happens. I read one gardening book just to get the basics and ever since then, I've learnt everything by trial and error and sometimes use tips from Dr Goggle of course!

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  38. My dad used to plant hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of flowers and vegetables from seed. I haven't quite got the knack of it yet. I'm facinated at how well yours are doing already. Well done lass. Happy planting....soon....very soon. Cheers, Beckie

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  39. You know what you are exactly right, we over think things...at least I do! I am going to take your advice and try some new plants this spring! Thanks for being so inspiring! Your bricks are looking nice...I can imagine they are heavy! I love you sweet easter eggs, I could totally do that with my kids, I have enough wash tape! You are so creative, I love it! Oh, and I love your growing station, so cleaver. Hugs Nicole!

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  40. Love to see your kids do gardening. They look so happy! Enjoy your day...

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  41. It's easy to over complicate things isn't it. Just throw some seeds down and see what comes up! We've got sweet peas and garden peas sprouting here so far. Love the washi eggs, I think my girls would like to try that idea xx

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  42. Oh Nicole you all are having so much fun and I love how you have your lovely little ones getting right into gardening.

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  43. How did I miss this post? I love your attitude to gardening, I feel the same, let's just get them in the soil and see what happens, they have two chances don't they? I think some people can make it too complicated. I love, love, love zinnias and have a packet to go in when the weather warms up here. Jo x

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  44. Happy Easter! You are right that in gardening and so many other things, experience is the best teacher.

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  45. Super cute!! Perfect!! ;)
    Kisses from Spain.
    Xoxo, P.

    My Showroom



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  46. Those look like great projects to do with the children! I always love to see plants sprouting.

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  47. Nicole, you're right. I know I usually make my gardening all too complicated. Sometimes I need to loosen up and just throw some seeds down and see what they do!

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  48. I bet the kids all love the seed sowing! Zinnias are especially rewarding for children to grow as they germinate ridiculously quickly! I am growing them for the first time, and I was amazed at how fast they pop their little heads up!

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  49. You and your beans have been very busy, Nicole. I couldn't help noticing that the seedlings aren't the only thing that is sprouting. Your beans are too! They are so adorable!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lynn!!! I visited your space and so enjoyed your last post! I was not able to comment though as I do not have google plus.....just wanted to give you a heads up! Happy weekend to you!!! Nicole

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    2. Thanks for stopping by my blog last week. I apologize for not knowing it until today when I dropped by your blog to wish you and yours a very happy and blessed Easter. I am sorry you were not able to leave a comment there. I am signed up for Bloglovin but had a problem using my old p/w. I reset it today and am hoping to maintain communication with you through that. I am sending you this comment today via Bloglovin and I hope you get it!

      Delete
  50. Dear Nicole, what a fun project to grow the seeds with the kids. I am sure that will leave fond memories in their little souls and maybe is the first step for them to become passionate gardeners as adults. Yikes, your brick laying project is quite of a job, isn't it? But with perseverance you will get it done. I often feel that gardening takes and needs a lot of perseverance, that it is just part of it.
    Off to check out the organic seeds companies. Thanks for posting the link!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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  51. SUCH a great Mom - I loved starting seeds with my little ones (your Beans are growing way too fast, BTW). You always do the best things with them. Heading to Denver in June - just bought tickets to Tedeschi Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II on the 13th, at Red Rocks Amphitheater...can't wait. Will save you a spot on the blanket, my friend. ;-) Jackie is seeing them here in Vegas - I will be under the stars with my daughter. Happy Tuesday, happy girl - XOXO

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  52. Busy, busy beans, far too engrossed to pay attention to you taking photos - they will be images to treasure in the coming years. Wishing all the family a very Happy Easter.

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  53. I hope everything grows!! Those eggs look like fun. :o)

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  54. Lots of fun projects here ~ how fun for the kids to sort through the seeds and get them started! They must be so excited to see them sprout. I'm going to direct sow some seeds here and it'll work or it won't ~ it's also the cheapest way for me to fill in some of the dirt I have here. So glad to see you and the beans getting out in the garden and Spring is finally showing up there. And I'll bet you have your bricks done long before July gets here! I hope you have a wonderful Easter holiday with your family.

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  55. Bare feet in the mud!! You must already be a bit warmer than us (or else your kids are really tough!!). Such fun growing plants from seeds. I have no spare space and only think about growing plants from seeds when I actually get outside gardening again ... which is always too late, but some things still work. Happy Easter to you and your family Nicole :)
    Wendy

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  56. Gardening for children is such a lot of fun. It's so exciting to see what can sprout from a little seed. So glad to see the children getting involved in what might become a passion for them later in life. Happy Easter!

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  57. Hi NIcole,

    So lovely seeing your little ones taking an interesting is growing their plants from seeds - I used to do this with my kids also. Hope they get lots of fun watching and seeing their plants grow and thrive.
    Happy Easter to you and your dear family - love the Easter eggs
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  58. I bet your all having fun in the garden now your weather is warming up, happy Easter.

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  59. dear nicole,
    your seed and decorated eggs look fantastic. i have started some seeds,too.
    have a nice easter monday,
    love regina

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  60. Hi Nicole - I am very late in visiting you, but I hope you had a wonderful Easter with your adorable little family! I love that you are teaching them the fine art of gardening at such a young age. They say that the ages between 1 and 5 have the most influence on forming young minds and I truly believe that. Your little one's Washi tape eggs are so cute - homemade is always the most precious, I think. I just found a box of school art my children created when they were little.......oh, those years fly by, although not when you are going through them! One day can last forever! Lol! Take care, my friend. Hugs xo Karen

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  61. I have the same philosophy when it comes to gardening and homesteading. Do some research, but, really, sometimes it's best just to jump in and not worry about things being perfect!

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