LOVE YOUR LANDSCAPE

Gardening: A Family Value

It’s a proven fact that exercise makes you feel better, keeps you looking better and promotes good health.  And the more livable and inviting your yard is, the more time you and your family can spend together enjoying it.  The old adage of, “A family that plays together stays together,” applies here.   The more inviting the space, the more apt you will want to spend time there. Quality of life and health are linked and if you’ve procrastinated, stalled or lagged behind with plans to create a garden, outdoor room, b-b-q area, fire pit, or other useful, livable outdoor space, then this could be the year to act.

Jacksonville is a perfect place to plant beautiful vegetable gardens – and there’s still plenty of time to get crops planted. Planting a family garden only takes a small space and a bit of preparation. And, a garden is a great family activity. I’ll admit that my seven year-old son and eight year-old daughter prefer the fruit of the garden labor more that the labor itself but they both enjoy learning about gardening and spending time with mom and dad. Although motivating them to work in the garden can be a challenge, (candy and bribery are usually a part of the motivation) it usually works and always ends in a meaningful family activity. Plus, I think it’s nice that the exercise they get is outdoors and not inside.

Make it easy on yourself if you’re just starting out and plant gardens that are manageable. If you’re more on the ambitious side, then by all means, get going and go Big! Consider planting an “adult” garden and designing specific “kid” gardens within that space.  Since flower and/or veggie gardens can be visually appealing areas, give some time and thought to the placement, design and layout of your garden, much like you would if decorating a room inside the house. Keep in-mind that preparing an area for gardening of any kind is important since it will be used year after year. Soil prep, irrigation, fencing and other factors should be considered – a bit of planning saves a lot of energy and money in the long run. And, be sure to involve the kids in all phases of the process!

The point is to LOVE YOUR LANDSCAPE as a family and enjoy your time together outside!

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes and may be reached at 541-292-3285 and www.artisanlandscapes.com