I recently decided that this was the year to start an organic kid’s garden at our house. Our oldest daughter Emma is 6, and she can’t wait to get her very girly hands dirty!

Last spring, we planted a small butterfly garden with flowers. After success with that, we realized we are excited and ready for a bigger challenge. I also made a promise to her during our “rough” first year with her baby sister, that when our life got easier again we would plant a garden together . At the time, I think the tearful promise was more for me than for her, but nonetheless it was a necessary thing to say to help us through that transition period.

Now that we have survived both that and winter, we’ve been busy planning and reading about all of the components that make up a successful garden. This has been a great learning experience for her and has helped me mentally get through these last weeks of cold weather. The garden has also given me another opportunity to teach her about the importance of taking care of our planet through organic gardening and sustainable agriculture. I figure this little “seed” of knowledge will be planted in her and will hopefully help make a difference in her world for years to come. Our second daughter was born on Earth Day, so I am willing to bet she’ll come to understand the importance too.

Aside from the joy of just getting outdoors again, I am most looking forward to spending quality time with her. I can’t wait to see her sense of accomplishment and her reaction to how cool it feels to help make summer meals with ingredients she grew herself! After our 2-year-old happily screamed all over the home & garden center at Lowe’s this past weekend, I realized the little one's excited too. What a fun way to welcome spring!

If you’re searching for a new way to connect with your kids, a way to continue the learning after school is out, or just simply want your children to experience the therapeutic benefits of gardening - check out any of these websites to get started: My First Garden, Kids Gardening, or Global Garden.

Sara Arsenault is a full-time stay-at-home mother of two, a community volunteer and a contributor to the Parenting section of AnnArbor.com She welcomes your thoughts and comments at searsen@live.com