Gardening in a Bag!

 “Gardening in a bag” is an easy, economical, space-saving way for children to grow vegetables and flowers in a 25-pound bag of garden soil. You can turn a bag of garden soil into a self-contained raised bed by placing it flat on the ground, cutting a picture-frame hole in the top for plants, and poking holes in the bottom for drainage.

This hands-on activity is a great way to teach children the responsibility of caring for a

garden, spending time outdoors (less screen time), and taking pride in what they’ve accomplished…and eating what they’ve grown!

WHAT YOU NEED:

*25-pound bag of garden soil (not topsoil).

*Lay a piece of cardboard or newspaper on the ground (prevent weeds from growing through the drain holes).

*Something to poke drainage holes in the bottom of the bag (good stout stick or large screwdriver) & scissors to cut picture-frame hole on top of bag.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Place the bag of garden soil on the ground. Poke about 10 small holes for drainage.

Turn the bag over. Cut a rectangular flap (like a picture frame on top). Fold flaps back but don’t cut all the way to the edge or soil will fall out. 

Now place the bag on the cardboard or newspaper you’ve laid on the ground, with the drainage holes facing down.

WHAT TO PLANT:

You can plant just about anything you want:  vegetables or flowers..seeds or seedlings. Remember– there’s not a lot of room so space seeds/seedlings at least 2 inches apart (depending on the plant you choose.)   Just poke your finger into the soil and drop in your seeds or seedlings, then cover up what you’ve planted.

*for flowers, check the seed package or the garden center’s instructions.

*1 tomato plant per bag.

*Peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, etc, no more than 2 seedlings per bag. If you use seeds, follow the instructions on the packet as to how many to place in the hole you’ve dug. Tip: for vining plants (like cucumbers), place near a fence or a little trellis.

Now give your new plantings a little water.  Don’t overwater!

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GARDEN:

Water in morning or night (not in the heat of the day). Check the soil daily. 

Make sure plants get plenty of sunlight every day (6 hours is fine).

Tip: I  feed my plants some fertilizer every 2 weeks. (I use “Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed.”) Shake it around your vegetables or flowers…easy to use, no mess!

Now…have fun watching your garden grow!