tropikanag
I know it costs money to fix up yards. But what is a cheap alternative to fixing the landscape for your own yard?
I would like something that is child friendly for a 4 yr old child.
Books/websites references would be extremely helpful.
Thank you!
Answer
Well, I am an aspiring landscape architect, so maybe I can suggest something.
Depending on the shape and size of your backyard, you could do many different things with it.
Gardening is a great activity to pursue with your children. I have attached several websites about it. It's not only together time with you child, but also teaches them (even at such a young age) about growing things, biology, and a reverence for the earth. Plus, kids love to play in dirt.
Try to range your plants in height, with the tallest in the back (for example, sunflowers) in the shortest in the front (for example marigolds). You might even try a small vegetable patch, which looks nice and provides you with fresh veggies. Green beans are a good choice here - simple & low maintenance.
Stay away from things with thorns or woody branches. Annuals or bulbs are probably your best bet. Seeds are cheap. You can start them in an egg carton full of dirt on a sunny windowsill, until the sprouts are more than in inch tall, then transfer them to pots or the ground. Make sure to follow the directions for planting times on the back of the seed packet.
Flower and vegetable beds can be lined with a variety of things - stones, bricks, broken pottery (sharp edges buried, of course), to make a nice contained look. You can also use old tires for a terraced look. Paint the treads various colors, lay them on the ground, fill them with dirt and - voila! - a raised flower bed that can also act as a boundary for a small child.
As for decorations, there are many ways to find inexpensive lawn ornaments and furniture. The salvation army and goodwill carry inexpensive used furniture. You could also get in touch with the branch of freecycle in your area (freecycle is a free organization to encourage trading of useable things within communities). Yard sale time is also coming up. You can usually pick up terra cotta pots and other such things for a fraction of the price you would pay at the store. Try mixing in terra cotta pots with hanging vines in your garden to give a multi-level effect.
You might even think of putting in a small sandbox. You can build the structure with a few nails and boards and a bag of sand - probably totalling about $20.
Lastly, you may want a patch of grass in there somewhere. Buy the grass seed yourself (like I said, seeds are cheap). Scatter the seed on a warm day (or follow the instructions on the back of the package). If it's on bare dirt, cover it with some hay if you can, so the seeds don't blow away. Water immediately, and about every second day. And try to stay off it until it's fairly grown up.
One last thing - if you do create a garden, save the sod that you remove and use it somewhere else if you can. Find a bare spot in the lawn, clear away the dying grass there, dig down a bit, cut the sod to fit and place it there. Make sure to water it and it should take root.
Hope that helps!
Well, I am an aspiring landscape architect, so maybe I can suggest something.
Depending on the shape and size of your backyard, you could do many different things with it.
Gardening is a great activity to pursue with your children. I have attached several websites about it. It's not only together time with you child, but also teaches them (even at such a young age) about growing things, biology, and a reverence for the earth. Plus, kids love to play in dirt.
Try to range your plants in height, with the tallest in the back (for example, sunflowers) in the shortest in the front (for example marigolds). You might even try a small vegetable patch, which looks nice and provides you with fresh veggies. Green beans are a good choice here - simple & low maintenance.
Stay away from things with thorns or woody branches. Annuals or bulbs are probably your best bet. Seeds are cheap. You can start them in an egg carton full of dirt on a sunny windowsill, until the sprouts are more than in inch tall, then transfer them to pots or the ground. Make sure to follow the directions for planting times on the back of the seed packet.
Flower and vegetable beds can be lined with a variety of things - stones, bricks, broken pottery (sharp edges buried, of course), to make a nice contained look. You can also use old tires for a terraced look. Paint the treads various colors, lay them on the ground, fill them with dirt and - voila! - a raised flower bed that can also act as a boundary for a small child.
As for decorations, there are many ways to find inexpensive lawn ornaments and furniture. The salvation army and goodwill carry inexpensive used furniture. You could also get in touch with the branch of freecycle in your area (freecycle is a free organization to encourage trading of useable things within communities). Yard sale time is also coming up. You can usually pick up terra cotta pots and other such things for a fraction of the price you would pay at the store. Try mixing in terra cotta pots with hanging vines in your garden to give a multi-level effect.
You might even think of putting in a small sandbox. You can build the structure with a few nails and boards and a bag of sand - probably totalling about $20.
Lastly, you may want a patch of grass in there somewhere. Buy the grass seed yourself (like I said, seeds are cheap). Scatter the seed on a warm day (or follow the instructions on the back of the package). If it's on bare dirt, cover it with some hay if you can, so the seeds don't blow away. Water immediately, and about every second day. And try to stay off it until it's fairly grown up.
One last thing - if you do create a garden, save the sod that you remove and use it somewhere else if you can. Find a bare spot in the lawn, clear away the dying grass there, dig down a bit, cut the sod to fit and place it there. Make sure to water it and it should take root.
Hope that helps!
Will my 3 year old child ever desire to learn her ABCs and 123s?
gracie
We have a 4 yr old who soaks up books and is already advanced in her preschool class. Then we have a 3 yr old who is determined not to learn her letters and numbers. I'm truly worried that she's going to grow up illiterate or flipping burgers. We read to the girls every night and try to get my 3 year old to learn. Will her learning switch ever flip to on? Help!
Answer
I'm sure she will eventually, and all kids are different of what they like. She may like dolls this year, but may like princess next year...ect. I'm sure once she get's around other kids her age in school, it'll be a fun experience for her. My 2 year old loves this website(we tried it out since she was 1) and it's actually very educational! It's http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=gameslanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us
It has online games and fun activities, for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. :) everything from numbers, colors, shapes, abc's....and more.
I'm sure she will eventually, and all kids are different of what they like. She may like dolls this year, but may like princess next year...ect. I'm sure once she get's around other kids her age in school, it'll be a fun experience for her. My 2 year old loves this website(we tried it out since she was 1) and it's actually very educational! It's http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=gameslanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us
It has online games and fun activities, for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. :) everything from numbers, colors, shapes, abc's....and more.
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