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Successive generations of Canadians are less aware of where their food actually comes from. Through no fault of their own, we have moved to a fast food world, where every conceivable veggie and fruit is readily available at your local supermarket regardless of the season. Perhaps a bright side to the shut in of 2020 is that people are ready to reestablish this connection. We have seen evidence of double digit increases in the number of folks growing at least some of their own food.
Children’s books play such an important role in teaching and motivating younger ones to dig in and understand how things work. Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt, is a great example of explaining how the ecosystem that is your garden works to younger children. It tells the story of the garden being full of life and wondrous things. From bugs and bees to worms and weather, that all work together and are equally important. Kate Messner writes in a very poetic fluid style that begs to be read in whispered tones in a darkened room at bedtime. And the illustrations harken back to a simpler time with vintage inspired muted tones.
Our Day 16 Giveaway is Kate Messner’s Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt. A warming tale of gardening with grandma. In order to promote children learning about the garden we are also including seed packs of Swiss Chard, which your children will love to see rise from the soil in fabulous colours, Bee Balm Lemon Mint, which is sure to attract attention, and Jedi Orange Marigolds that will have butterflies swooning over them this summer.
For a chance to win leave a comment below. In your message share your thoughts on teaching the next generation about gardening, or share your own story of wonderment in the garden, anything really, as long as it's meant to pick people up. EASY. This giveaway is open to anyone with a Canadian shipping address. Contest is open December 16th for 24 hours. Closes December 16th at midnight PT.
Of course, if you know someone who would be inspired to (or is already) teach the next generation of gardeners, please share!
Learn more and connect with Kate Messner
Book: Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt
Instagram: Kate Messner
Website: Kate Messner
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Sue
Dec 16, 2020
Being raised on a farm, our children had their share of gardening, not always willingly! But its been reassuring to see them as adults loving it! Looking forward to gardening with grandchildren
Melissa
Dec 16, 2020
Growing up we would drive 1.5 hours every weekend to my grandparents and help in the garden, little did I know I would do the same with my family but we live on the farm, I love keeping the kids engaged in gardening, they help with everything from seed starting to covering perennials in the fall. It brings me so much joy watching them find pea pods to munch on or wipe carrots off on their pants as a fresh mid day snack, I hope that my children will love the garden and share the joy w their kids one day
Christine
Dec 16, 2020
My dad was always the “strong silent type” and I was always a little intimidated to talk to him as a child. But, whenever I was in the garden playing, he would come out and start gardening, showing me how flowers grow out of unassuming bulbs by sacrificing one and cutting it in half to show me the magic concealed inside. Or, when he dug his own koi pond by hand and recruited me to re-home worms, and showed me the different layers that made up the soil in our backyard. Now, I continue the tradition of choosing seed with him in the winter, as we compare tips and tricks! It has always been a way to connect with each other and the bigger conversations in life. These days, I find myself gifting seeds and seedlings to the little ones in our growing family, and can already see how the garden of memories in all these generations will just keep on growing.
Holly Prediger
Dec 16, 2020
My little boy just turned 3 and I absolutely cannot wait for him to help me get seeds started this spring. Gardening has always been such a huge part of my upbringing, and I can’t wait to teach him/show him that with hard work and dedication, what can grow from it. Nothing brings me more joy than harvesting because it’s the accumulation of all my hard work, that gets to be enjoyed all winter long.