“The greatest fertilizer is the farmers footprint” captures the essence of Jim’s column on garden chores this month in “The Garden Plot.” By now you’ve either beaten the planting deadline or have not. If you have….Congratulations!!! Now the real work starts. The core necessity is not any high-minded science but merely to pay attention to your garden. Notice how it grows, where are the weed hot-spots, how is the hydration, and a few more things.

Give your kids tasks and get them involved in the family garden, exercising their own skills of observations and taking pride in their chores. In a family garden there is visible pay-off, which boosts a child’s confidence and sense of being able to influence change and growth. Learn together and share the experience… and at the end of the day, fresh veggies for your family dinner!