Our Mommyhood

With the growing use of computers and television it seems as though children are spending less and less time outside. If you would like to see your kids playing outdoor games rather than video games, you may want to consider creating a “child-friendly” yard area. Below are a few ideas that can get your children and their friends outside and give them a deeper appreciation of their natural surroundings.

Safety First: With so many options of trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs available, sometimes it’s hard to keep track of which ones are safe for children and pets. A detailed list of plants harmful to children is available from the National Capital Poison Center (www.poison.org/prevent/plants.asp) while The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a directory of plants that are harmful to pets (www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/).

Consider your Zone: Plants that grow well in certain areas may not fare well in other climates. Prior to planting, make certain to consider which greenery that will be the most resilient in your area. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Hardiness Zone map divides the United States into 11 zones with each being 10 degrees warmer or colder in the winter than adjacent zones. You can determine your area’s zone by visiting the National Arboretum’s website, which also offers suggestions for plants, trees and shrubs that are suitable for your area. ww.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html.

Add in Kid-Friendly Shrubbery: Thorny bushes or plants that are itchy, stick or stain to clothing aren’t the best alternatives for a child-friendly yard. Shrubs that offer greenery and can also provide your yard with an open, spacious feeling are best. Consult with a landscaping professional to find shrubs that are resilient and can withstand active children. Make sure to find shrubs that are nontoxic yet offer texture, shade and color.

Consider Ornamental Grasses: Ornamental grasses are a relatively easy way to acquire colorful ground cover but don’t require much maintenance and can tolerate some trampling. Grasses such as blue stern, maiden grass, switch grass and Indian grass are just a few varieties to choose from, depending upon the climate where you live.

Work in Some Hardscaping: If space is not an issue, break up your backyard’s greenery by giving children pathways to run across. Paths and walkways created with stone can add a touch of elegance while an inexpensive and functional gravel pathway can also be created. All that’s needed is the gravel and a dump truck that can deliver the stones straight to your home. Crushed rock is typically more firm and compact while tumbled, while round gravel has a sleeker yet slippery texture—especially when wet.

Create a Butterfly Garden: Children are entranced by butterflies so why not plant a garden to attract these delicate creatures? Butterfly gardens provide additional habitat and also help to demonstrate the butterfly’s intricate life cycle. Alfalfa and clover are some common caterpillar attractants while plants such as marigolds, butterfly bush, purple coneflower and salvia produce nectars sure to draw caterpillars to your backyard.

Build a Bubble Fountain: Water features can offer a serene and calming influence on adults and children while also adding visual interest. Since ponds and other deep-water features aren’t a good choice for families with toddlers and young children, a nice option is a small bubble fountain. Many home improvement stores sell inexpensive bubble fountains that are decorative and easy for do-it-yourself-ers to install.

Create Container Gardens: Apartment dwellers and families with limited space can garden by using containers. Get creative by using planters of varying widths, heights and colors to add visual diversity. Container gardens allow children and adults to work in unison to create something of beauty.

Plant herbs: Landscaping can be beautiful and practical, too. Fill your yard with the wonderful scents of herbs like lavender, oregano, rosemary and basil. If you have feline members of your household, look at planting some catnip, too. Growing fruits and vegetables is another option for any home with available space.

It’s important to create a yard that stimulates the senses and promotes a sense of adventure and fun. Once your yard area is completed, spend time with your child by showing him or her different trees, plants, flowers and wildlife. Ask questions to encourage curiosity about the world outside. By creating a kid-friendly yard, you’ll be able to take pleasure in the joy that both your garden and child have to offer.

Terry Harmon is eco-friendly landscape consultant and works with home flippers regularly to try to make changes for future family buyers. He finds that using dump trucks makes quick work of hauling in and removing materials from the renovations. If you’re interested in a landscape or flipping business, it’s easier to just purchase one rather than paying for rentals, and Terry suggests checking out the used dump trucks for sale at truckertotrucker.com.

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