Parents should also be protective with pets for kids as well because they may come close to your children. One such hazard is the pesticides in your garden.Since pesticides are developed to kill some living things such as insects and unwanted weeds, they may also be harmful to your pets. When you think about it, it’s important to know the dangers of pesticides and the effect they could have on your pets.

Pets can sometimes mistake these poisons as food. And, since they are considerably smaller than we are, when they absorb the pesticides through their skin or ingest it they are exposed to a higher concentration. The results can be reproductive problems, birth defects in any babies your pet has, skin irritation, cancer, and even death.

If you feel you must use pesticides in your yard or around your house, be sure your pet stays inside while they are being applied. Remove anything your pet uses outdoors – feeding bowls, water dishes, outside toys – from the area. Using pesticides in pellet form could be confusing to your pet and they may think its food.

Instead of using chemical pesticides in your yard, you may want to do research into the possibility of natural pesticides. With the emphasis on everything “green” you can probably find a good bit of information in the library. If they don’t have information, you may want to check with a county extension agency, agriculture department at a local college, or farmer’s co-op. There is also a wealth of information available on the internet.

What do you do if you think your pet may have been poisoned by pesticides? Of course, you’ll want to get your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. In addition:

- Keep your pet as warm and quiet as possible.

- Try to determine what type of pesticide your pet may have ingested or been exposed to. This will enable the veterinarian to make a better diagnosis.

- If possible take the pesticide with you and as gross as it sounds, you may also want to save the throw up for analysis.

- You may also want to determine what type of exposure they had to the poison. Whether the product was diluted or full-strength can make a difference. It would also help the veterinarian to know how long it has been since the pesticide had been applied.

Gardening can be one of the best children activities to share with your family. In fact, if you have a “plant your own vegetables” family day, not only can you spend quality time together, before long you’ll also have “fresh from your own garden” vegetables to enjoy and share with others. Maybe you’ve never gardened much; don’t let that stop you. With everyone in your family’s help, you can get a garden planned and planted.

If you’ve never gardened, there is quite a bit to learn before getting started. First, you’ll need to find out what planting zone you live in. This is easily done by asking at a nursery or by looking online. You’ll also want to know what type of soil you have in your yard. This will let you know what nutrients will need to be added before you can begin planting. You may want to visit someone who has been gardening for a while to learn from their experience in regard to how large a garden you need, what vegetables would be best to plant, and how many of each plant you’ll need to get the harvest you’d like.

Start with a plan. Vegetables won’t grow in the shade so you’ll need to seek out a place in the yard that gets full sunlight. When you have chosen the area, you get to pick out the vegetables you’ll plant. If this is your first garden, don’t go crazy. You may want to try spinach or lettuce, green beans, corn, and several varieties of tomatoes. For a family of four you would want to buy two packs of lettuce plants, two packs of green beans, a package of corn, and three to four tomato plants per variety.

There are two ways you can lay out a garden. You can plant everything in rows of a single vegetable per row. You can also create square foot gardens where you break the total size of the garden into squares of one foot or more. Find out more about this type of gardening by getting a book from the library or checking online.

For the number of vegetables you’ll be planting, an 8’ x 10’ or 8’ x 12’ garden would be perfect. You don’t want to make the garden so large that you’ll be frustrated caring for it, but you do want it to be large enough to accommodate the plants as they grow.

Spread the work out among each family member, keeping in mind each one’s abilities. One person can run the rototiller, another can pick up the rocks, and another can dig the holes for the plants, and another can water the plants in. The old saying “many hands makes light of work” can certainly pertain to a family working in a garden.

When you plant your own vegetable garden, be sure to have fun. Gardening doesn’t have to be a dreaded task that no one in the family wants to do. Encourage everyone to chip in and then the fruits of their labor at harvest time will taste all that much sweeter.

Warmer weather is about to arrive and it is to be expected to be thatadvertisements for chemical products to kill weeds or fertilize your plants will rule television sets. However with child safety and environmentalism in mind, it is best to opt for natural garden care.

One of the most natural ways to care for your garden is to use compost. This is natural, organic matter that has decomposed and been broken down into nutrients the soil can use to feed and nourish the plants.  By incorporating the organic matter into your soil, the soil in your garden will become a living substance which will be able to ward off disease, weeds, and insects without the use of harmful chemicals. Natural fertilizers and pest control is used in place of chemicals, and they won’t bother the natural ecosystem.

Besides composting, you want your garden soil to be aerated. How do you do that? Well, you can physically go out to the garden with tines of a pitch fork and aerate the soil, or you can allow earthworms to do it for you. By having healthy, composted soil, you’ll create a habitat where earthworms can thrive.

Use companion planting. By planting vegetables by flowers or other plants, it is feasible to drive pests away. For instance, if you plant tomatoes near marigolds, the plant secretions from the marigolds will cause harmful nematodes to find another garden to infest. You can also plant garlic near plants to drive insects away.

Rotate your crops every year. In other words, don’t layout your garden with the plants in the same location every year. This depletes the soil of vital nutrients. For example, move the legumes into the location where corn stalks are usually placed because one places nitrogen into the soil and the other uses a lot of nitrogen. Rotating plants can also help prevent the development of some types of soil disease.

After the harvesting has been done, use the tiller to turn the dead plants back into the ground. This will put organic matter back into the soil and nourish it. It will also allow you to plant cover crops like clover, alfalfa, and rye which will keep the soil from becoming compacted during the winter months and can protect the soil. When it’s time to prepare your garden in the spring, you can again till the plants back into the soil to add much needed nutrients.

Regularly hoeing or manually weeding your garden will help keep plants healthy. They’ll be more resistant to insects and the weeds won’t be leaching the nutrients from the plants. You can also pour boiling water over the weeds to kill them. Using mulch around the plants can also keep weeds at bay and will help the soil retain more moisture.

Try using some of these ideas for natural gardening care this year in your garden. You, too, may decide that natural gardening is best. You’ll find you have better crops, you’re not poisoning the environment, and not risking poisoning the family you love.

Pizzas are always a hit with children. Imagine how much more they would like eat pizza if they are involved in the creation process. If you are looking for excellent children activities which will hone and harness their knack for gardening and cooking, look no further than having them prepare a pizza herb pot.

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, especially for a beginner. You don’t need a large plot of land to create an herb garden; in fact, you can grow a number of herbs in clay pots. This will enable you to plant related herbs for each different type of cuisine you enjoy. Herb pots can also be grown on patios, porches, or even fire escapes – any place you have a sunny spot will do.

Since pizza is such a mainstay of the American diet, you may want to create an herb pot that grows the herbs you need for pizza. But which herbs would you grow in a pizza herb pot? You may want to plant basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and even cilantro. Here are the steps for making this herb pot -you can choose any other cuisine by changing the herbs being planted:

- Find a spot to place your herb pot that will receive at least five hours of sunlight each day. Place the herb pot on a saucer.

- Pick a large container, one that’s at least 20 inches in diameter. You can choose a plastic or clay pot that has a drainage hole to ensure the herbs don’t remain too wet. Some pots may have been glazed with leaded glaze; it would be best to avoid using this type to ensure you don’t transfer lead to the plants.

- Put a little bit of gravel into the bottom of the pot and covering the drainage hole. Doing this will keep the dirt in and allow the excess water to be released. After you have the gravel in the bottom, you’ll want to fill the container about two thirds of the way full. Sterilized potting soil is best to use.

- Go to your local garden center or home improvement center. Choose the plants you want and then place them in the pot, tallest growing plants in the center, and then placing the shorter plants around it.

- As you plant each individual herb, loosen the dirt around the roots and then put the plant into the soil. Cover the roots with more soil and then continue to the next plant. By the time the planter is full, you should have about two inches of space to the top of the planter. Be sure to water them in by adding plenty of water, although you don’t want water to stand in the planter or the saucer underneath it.

Instead of watering your plants each day, poke your finger into the dirt when you notice the top of the soil looking dry. If the soil is dry up to an inch below the top, it’s time to water your pizza herb garden. In a couple of weeks you can start harvesting your herbs. By carefully cutting the leaves and not pulling the plants out, your herb garden should produce fresh herbs for your home-made pizza all year long.

As a rule of thumb, children are not that inclined to eat vegetables. There are always sweets and fried foods which will always tickle the fancy of your child. But vegetables are crucial to the development of your child. Thus, what you can do is to turn him into a green thumb. Yes, when they are involved in children activities regarding planting vegetables, they may be attracted to eat them. After all, these are the results of their hard work.

With that in mind, here are nine vegetables which are not only very tasty but they are also easy to garden for your children. Here goes:

1. Carrots generally sprout quickly so your child can see the plant growing. Since they are sweet when fresh from the garden, your child may want more than just one when they’re ready to be harvested.

2. Radishes are another quick germinating vegetable. Young children don’t like to wait for things so they will be quickly rewarded when the radishes sprout in only a few days.

3. Lettuce is another reliable and quick vegetable to let your children grow. You may also encourage them to eat more of their salad when they’ve helped grow and pick the lettuce leaves. Choose a couple of varieties for a healthy mix.

4. Green beans are one vegetable that most children seem not to like. While they may take longer to sprout, the size of the sprout is considerably larger than either a carrot or radish. Children also have fun picking green beans, so that’s an added incentive to try them.

5. Pumpkins might take up a lot of room in a garden, but children love to watch the pumpkins grow to maturity. They take longer to mature, but your children will look forward to carving their own pumpkin in the fall.

6. Strawberries usually take up a large amount of a garden; however, you can also plant them in strawberry planters. What child wouldn’t love going outside to pick fresh strawberries to add to their cereal or a fruit smoothie?

7. Cherry tomatoes are a wonderful plant to encourage children to eat tomatoes. They can pick the tomatoes right off the vines and pop them in their mouth for a juicy treat. Of course, once they realize how good they are, your children may not be able to wait for the tomatoes to ripen.

8. Green onions are easy-to-grow but your children may not want to eat them. Of course, you might be surprised once they realize the onions are ready to picked.

9. Snow peas are other vegetables children don’t often like. However, children may be impressed by how quickly they come up and can be eaten right off the vine. The pod is edible and they are a small enough plant to grow without support.

Basking in the outdoor sun and doing some good, old digging never gets old as one of the more exciting children activities. There is a different thrill children experience when digging and getting their hands dirty. Moreover, give them a sense of ownership and responsibility by giving them a portion of the garden which they can work on.

Give them a primer first about the necessary safety precautions they need to undergo while in the garden such as handling pesticides, not putting their dirty hands in their mouth and not playing with insects. Afterwards explain to them how to dig and where to position the seeds and how to remove weeds. Invite questions from them before moving forward.

Of course, baby steps is the best for child education so don’t give the entire garden for them to dig or to weed. Dedicate a small portion for them which they can call their own. To spark their enthusiasm give them their gardening tools and be sure to be around for child safety.

What kind of plants are typical of your climate or during the present season? Should you focus on ornamental flowers or grow your own fruits or vegetables? Decide these things with your child for a more interactive experience.

Once they are finished with digging, weeding and planting their seeds, teach them how to maintain their plants - specifically by watering them regularly. When all the gardening is over, make sure to watch your hands and then enjoy the sense of accomplishment in your child.

You may think that a personal garden at home is a safe haven for your children but when pesticides are involved that’s a different story altogether. So the very first thing you need to do is to have the inside track on your garden. Are there pesticides used in it? What is the effect on the ecosystem of the garden? By being in control of the garden, you can ensure that child safety is a priority in your home.

The world is leaning towards avoiding chemical pesticides. If you must use them, at least keep them away from the reach of your child. Label them properly to avoid mix-ups. This applies to everything from fertilizers, weed killers and insecticides.

While you might find one or two pesticides that aren’t hazardous to pets and people, they are few and far between. One such pesticide is known as “milky spore,” a bacterium that is not known to be dangerous to people, animals, or any beneficial insects you may have in your garden. In fact, it is a very selective insecticide that will only kill certain types of beetles.

Pesticides are used to prevent insect infestation, kill them, or make it so that plants aren’t palatable to the insects and thus repel them. Nearly every type can be harmful to people, animals, or the environment. To understand how dangerous pesticides are, manufacturers must label them with signal words:

- The word “Danger” is the apex of words used on labels. Use of chemicals with this label requires extreme care. Improper use could result in children being sick, hurt for an extended period, blindness, or even death. This designation is also used to indicate the chemical could explode if it gets too hot.

- “Warning” labels indicate a less severe danger. This doesn’t mean they’re safe, but are not quite as dangerous as those with the “danger” label. Serious injury or illness could still result. This label also identifies chemicals that can catch on fire quite easily.

- “Caution” labels lead users to be careful when using them. While the dangers aren’t quite as serious as those with “danger” or “warning” labels, there are inherent problems associated with using them. You could develop skin irritations, illness from breathing the fumes, or serious damage to your eyes if it is splashed into them.

Remember that pesticides are poison and be sure to treat them accordingly. Knowing what they do, when considering outdoor pesticides and having kids, is it worth the risk?

One of the best children activities which never gets old is gardening. When started early, this can develop  into an intense love for nature.

Encouraging your child to join you in gardening gives you the opportunity to talk about anything under the sun - literally and figuratively. It could be something as simple as valuing the Earth and protecting the environment, to more serious subjects such as life and love. Whatever you talk about, because you’re in a non-threatening atmosphere, you may find you’re talking about things that your children are concerned about most.

You’ll definitely want to encourage your children to give gardening a try if they show any interest in it at all. Don’t expect them to actually ask you if they can help; you may have to invite them to come join you while you’re in the midst of planting.

Let children use their imagination when planting or helping in the garden. In this way, gardening can be an effective medium for child education. They may imagine a tiny village behind the plants or in the rocks; maybe they’ll even try to create the village they imagine out of natural materials found in the garden. Since children often have vivid imaginations, let them run wild while you share time among the dirt and plants.

Children have short attention spans, so don’t become upset if they work a little while and then run away to do something else. You may want to find them work they can do in short periods of time. You may also want to buy them some child-sized gardening tools so they can accomplish more while they spend time with you in your work.

Teach them how to dig in the dirt so they can place plants into it. You may want to explain to them how the dirt provides the nutrients the plants need to grow and show them how to make the dirt healthier for the plants by using peat moss, sand, and compost. Explain the reason for adding these components and help them understand why they shouldn’t handle commercial fertilizers.

Perhaps after you’ve spent some time in the garden and are comfortable with your child’s knowledge, you might think about creating a small garden that is entirely the child’s. Remember that you want their experience to be a positive one and passing off too much responsibility too soon could squash their interest in the activity.

Your goal in inviting your child to join you in the garden is multi-faceted. You want to teach them about loving nature and natural things, to make light of the work needed in the garden, and to spend quality time with your child. Be sure to give your little helper a hug and hearty thank you for their help and let them know you enjoyed your time together.