The Tacoma Nature Center (itself a nice find - check out the events and classes for kids - we missed a really cool sounding earth day event that we’ll have to hit next year and it looks like they run some neat nature summer camps for older kids) is hosting the Spring Native Plant Sale this Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow this link for location and other info.
The great thing about Native plants is that since they evolved here, they grow well in the local climate and require less water and often, less tender loving care than other plants. Yes, those two lovely words: LOW MAINTENANCE. GREAT for busy parents whose gardens, like everything else, have taken a back seat since the munchkin(s) arrived.
My mother runs a Native plant nursery in California, so you could say I’m biased, but there’s a wealth of information showing the benefits of using natives in your garden. A few good sites I found in a quick search: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Plant Native, Washington Native Plant Society, and the organization my mother is affiliated with (which is, of course, for California natives, not Washington, but she IS my mom and it’s a nice site) East Bay Chapter CNPS.
Whatever you plant though, gardening is a wonderful activity for children. It builds a personal link to nature, respect for the earth, teaches the fruits of one’s labor, creates an understanding of where our food comes from, illustrates the cycle of life in your own backyard, etc., etc. The best part though, is getting dirty together! No greater bonding experience, as far as I’m concerned! There’s a lot on the web about gardening with children. Here are a few: Kids Gardening News, Kids Gardening, Benefits of Gardening with Children.
Reilly is already committed to saving worms from certain death on the sidewalk (though certainly soon he will be chopping them up with a shovel), and loves to help water, and to pick dandelions and help weed. This has been a great opportunity to positively reinforce his “helping” skills without worrying about cleaning up after the fact. A little extra water or dirt is much easier to deal with than the mess on the counter after he helps stir things!
But before you get your children digging, you may want to check out the lead and arsenic levels in your soil. Some Pierce County communities have soil contamination due to the chemicals blown from the ASARCO copper smelter that used to be down on Ruston Way. According to the literature from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, North Tacoma, West End Tacoma, University Place, Fircrest, western Lakewood and Steilacoom are the places most affected. Oddly, some of us closer to the old smelter location have less contamination due to the wind paths.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Dirt-Alert website has some “healthy actions” and tools for minimizing risk, and offers free soil sampling if this is a concern for you. There’s a link on the website to request a test. We had it done and it was easy and very helpful. We live on the edge of the historic district near Steele St., and do not have levels of lead or arsenic that pose an immediate health risk, but they are higher than the Washington Department of Ecology standards and may pose a “long-term health concern.” I got way more adamant about hand washing, leaving shoes at the door and vacuuming than I was before the test, but at least am not afraid to let Reilly get out in the dirt. I’ve layered in good soil in all the areas we plant, and try to stick to digging and playing in those areas.
The bottom line here is happy planting, everyone! Get out there and get dirty!
P.S. If anyone has any good gardening sites, local native plant nurseries, or garden projects with children, please let us know. We are planning to do a veggie garden with Reilly for the first time this summer and would love to hear what has worked for you or any plants that your children have particularly enjoyed growing.