TheWags wrote:Some kids, particularly neurologically interesting ones, are drawn to electronic stimulation like it's crack.

Tell me about it. Of the two of us, I'm actually the less electronic-stimulation dependent. My better half is currently either playing City of Heroes or Dungeon Siege III. From the pattern of lights on the router, City of Heroes.

I'm dividing my attention between a mindless movie ("Mad Money", but I like Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah), the board, Overlord II, and cleaning. Cleaning's seriously getting the short stick. Heck with it, the dirt will be there tomorrow.

So I'd say it's a mixed bag of cause and effect. For my kid, engaging her in something meaningful to her is the best bet. In our school district, keeping the bottom third afloat is the priority. Left on her own, she implodes. How do I get her engaged and interested in lawn chemistry? That would be ideal!!

Does she like plants? If there's no interest there, you're sunk and it's not going to be a hobby of hers. Pick another.

Not knowing her age, it kind of depends. For younger children, starting them with fun and interesting plants is usually the best. I got my nieces sunflowers this year, plus marigolds and coleus planters (easy and fun for kids, not very demanding). I use the showy dwarf Teddy Bear, but kids aren't interested so much in those. I got them the Mammoths.

Older children would appreciate a small garden of their own to start with, and to pick their own plants to put in it (annuals are a good idea as they tend to tolerate some ignoring, and wide varieties are available). Some like vegetable gardening, too (personally, I never did).

Particularly striking small houseplants are also handy to introduce gardening to children, and those are available anywhere. Pretty blooming ones like cyclamen are particularly popular, and also introduce them to the idea of plant life cycles since cyclamen will eventually shut down and nap for a while. I was always partial to amaryllis, but they're toxic and some care has to be taken.

From there, see if there's any interest in learning about the soil and why some plants do better than others in some locations. If so, perhaps a Logan soil test is in order, although the home tests may be good enough for that to start (and are more fun, so long as you explain the inaccuracies in them).

Then send her here.

You guys want to take this to the Water Cooler forum?

Bite me, Moderator Boy.

Sure, split and move if you think it better there.

I was thinking of just picking it up in a new thread over there.

Before Miloganite. Aprill 27, 2011

After using Miloganite. June 12, 2011

^ I don't know anything about centipede grass but that is just beautiful. Is it ironic that the before pictures looked like poop?

BS, Welcome and that is the BEST looking Centipede grass I have ever seen!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!