They are destinations for gardeners… and for those who don’t even have yards. They offer inspiration in the summer and peace in the winter. What’s more, they are located in just about every city in North America. They are botanical gardens and they make for great family day trips…and much more.
Our local botanical garden is quite a gem. At just over 47 acres it is but a mere shadow of the massive botanical gardens in New York, Chicago, and Ontario, yet it celebrates the relationship between plants and people just as well. It captures the beauty of Northeastern Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons and spotlights plants and flowers that thrive in the upper mid-west. I am frequent visitor and I always make sure my out-of-town guests stop in for a tour.
But, for as much beauty and inspiration it may provide to those who love to garden and those who just like to admire gardens, local botanical gardens are often untapped educational resources for parents and children. I recently started searching for creative hands-on lessons for my daughter. Our local botanical garden had everything I was looking for. Their “Budding Buddies” pre-school program teaches youngsters the concept of gardening and nature. Each month a new theme is introduced. For example, last month it was “Budding Friendships.” Kids discovered the secrets to starting a beautiful plant indoors and then got to take it home. Next month, the theme is birds. In Wisconsin, most of the birds leave for the winter. A great sign that spring is here is the return of the robin, so children will get to make a little snack for the robins that may come to their backyards.
But the learning doesn’t stop there. Like botanical gardens across the country, our local botanical garden offers classes and workshops to adults interested in learning more about gardening and landscaping. For example, there is a great landscaping workshop being offered that allows homeowners a chance to meet with experienced designers and landscape architects. But not only do you get to learn how to make your home landscape more beautiful and more suited to your lifestyle, if you bring sketches, blueprints, photos, plant information and any other information pertaining to your current landscape you will receive different design ideas from the two featured designers. There are also classes on pruning and a workshop on miniature gardens. The latter teaches the basics of miniature gardening and you get to make one to take home. The best garden made that day wins a prize.
The very nature of these programs is defined by the hands-on lessons offered and illustrates that learning continues well pass childhood. Botanical gardens are undeniably great places for families to grow together, but they are also wonderful places for families to dig in and discover all that nature has to offer.