Several times I have said that I am creating a Joy Garden as my tribute to the Joy Candle that I light on the Second Sunday of Advent. I am also creating a Hope Garden as my tribute to the Hope Candle that I might on the First Sunday of Advent. I grow perennials and some evergreen shrubs in my Hope Garden, but I grow annuals in my Joy Garden. My Joy Garden is a variation of the following Children’s Garden Plan created by Better Homes and Gardens.

How to Grow a Children’s Sunflower Garden

The BHG garden is about 6′ x 6′ but my Joy Garen is about 6′ x 12,’ My garden has three bean teepees in it, Because BHG created this easy and colorful garden as a children’s garden, I am sharing my plans for it today–the Eighth Day of Christmas, when I am sharing the Bible Story about How Jesus Loved the Little Children:

Plan for a one-teepee garden

6′ x 6′

Because it is a beginner’s kitchen garden, I believe that many people might enjoy creating this space.

Plants for Creating the Small Children’s Vegetable Garden Plan

Sunflowers are at the back of the Children’s Garden, and I have learned that I get my best sunflowers when I provide birdfeeders from which the birds drop the seeds and thus, sow the sunflowers naturally.

I have several of the above bird-feeding stations at the back of my garden, and I use Kaytee Nut & Fruit Bird Seed, which is stocked with great sunflower seeds that produce prolifically in my garden,

As the birds feed themselves, they drop sunflower seeds to the ground, and voila! The birds plant sunflowers that pop up all around my feeders:

The first step for creating my Joy Garden is to create a Raised Bed,

“On just a six-foot-square piece of land, you can create a colorful child-size wonderland filled with a few fast-growing veggies, fruits, and flowers. A simple bamboo-pole tepee covered with morning glory and pumpkin vines adds an irresistible element of fun where kids can hide and play. While the vines grow, seed the ground within the ring of poles with radishes. By the time your root crop matures enough to harvest, the vines will be starting to shade the space. Other edible favorites that children can snack on right from the plants include luscious tomatoes and sweet strawberries. Marigolds and tall sunflowers add some cheerful floral color, too.” Better Homes and Gardens.

Because Children Bring Joy into the world,

I call this part of my garden my Joy Garden:

Today is the 9th Day of Christmas, and I thank God for Joy and for Children:

Jesus Loves the Little Children:

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” ¹⁵ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. Matthew 19:13-15