Hello Gardeners, "When I was at my grandparents house the other day I saw something on the news that scared me and made me feel really uncomfortable. Now I can't stop worrying that what I saw can happen to me and my family." ~Gardener Max Age 10 Hello Gardener Max, "There are definitely some scary things on the news and we know how hard it can be to not think about them.The most important thing you can do is talk about what you saw with someone you trust.There are also some other helpful 'gardening tools' to help you take your mind off this 'weed'!" When things feel out of your control try these gardening tools: -Arts & Craft Project -Read A Book -Play A Game We hope this helps turn your weed into a seed. Thank you for reaching out!" ~Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan Seeing things on the news can sometimes make children feel uncomfortable. It is helpful to kids to get them to open up and talk about what they saw and/or experienced. You can expand on these conversations by asking them what they saw, how it made them feel and what they think about it. Having safe and trusted sources for young gardeners helps to keep the line of communication open...turning weeds into seeds! Do you or your younger gardeners need helping turning a 'weed into seed'? Send us a message to flowers@youareagardener.com with the subject Hello Gardeners for a chance to be featured!

Nothing screams summer like a solid playlist! There is something so nostalgic for children and adults alike when it comes to summer tunes. Listening to music is also an extremely powerful gardening tool as it helps to put you in a positive mood & get your groove on! Music can brighten up any summer activity or road trip. So what do you say gardeners, are you ready to dig into a solid summer #PullYourWeeds® Playlist...scroll down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this groovy activity! This summer make a playlist with your family full of all your favorite, upbeat songs! Some of our favorites include: Weatherman by Eddie Benjamin, I Lived by One Republic, American Kids by Kenny Chesney, Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson, Surfin USA by the Beach Boys, Scarlett Begonias by the Grateful Dead, Shake It Off by Taylor Swift, Roll Me Away by Bob Seger, Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus, The Best Is Yet To Come by Sheppard, Dream On by Aerosmith, Bang by AJR, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, Count On Me by Bruno Mars, Long Way To The Top by ACDC, Joy by Andy Grammar... Hey gardeners, did you do make a groovy summer playlist? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the '#PullYourWeeds® Playlist' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Hey gardeners...did you know that reading is one of our favorite 'gardening tools'? Reading can be extremely beneficial for gardeners of all ages. It is a wonderful way to help develop social and emotional skills, it expands our vocabulary, helps build our self-confidence, encourages empathy and cognitive thinking, and promotes a safe way to explore strong emotions. A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. It works better and faster than other relaxation methods, such as listening to music or drinking a hot cup of tea. PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY'S VIDEO ON OUR SUMMER READING TRACKER >> This summer we would love for all our gardener friends to download our free You Are a Gardener® Summer Reading Tracker! All you have to do is download our Tracker Sheet, read as many books as you can & fill out & color in the sheets, send us a picture of your progress and we will send you some free Gardener Goodies! Grab a stack of books and dig in! Click on the You Are a Gardener® Summer Reading Tracker to download your free sheet today and start tracking your books! We can't wait to see your progress and send you some gardener prizes as a reward for all your effort! << CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR SHEET!>>

Feeling 'gardenery' is that uplifting feeling you get when you are doing or creating something you love or spending time with those that make you feel so overjoyed you lose all track of time.These 'gardenery' moments make you feel hopeful, free and closer to your purpose.Once you start feeling them, seek them out and embrace them. They will help you bloom. Here are some tips to help you tap into that 'gardenery'I feeling & flow: Do something you enjoy doing every single day and focus all your attention on it when you are doing it. Take a few moments everyday to pause and reflect on all the things you are grateful for. To start this practice try having moments of gratitude before you got to bed and when you wake up. Make a vision board or a dream journal with all the things you enjoy doing and goals you would like to achieve. Hang your board in place you will see it often or read your journal a few times a week and really visualize each goal. Identify the things that come easily to you that may be hard for other people. Hone in on these gifts and explore them as frequently as you can.

Hey gardeners today we've got a surprise craft with Gardener Kelsey! We are making Colorful Crayon Mystery Messages, can you guess what ours will say...if you guessed Pull Your Weeds you are correct! We love this activity because it requires very few materials and gardeners of all ages can enjoy it! It's also fun for a rainy day craft. Scroll down to read benefits of this craft and scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge! PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY'S LATEST CRAFT VIDEO This Activity Has Gardener Roots In: Requires few materials! All you need are crayons and paper! Encourages gardeners to think ahead - this craft is all about layers! Will keep your gardeners occupied! Once they reveal the magic base layer, they will surely want to make another and another! Screen -Free Fun! Hey gardeners, did you do make a Colorful Crayon Mystery Messages with Gardener Kelsey? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Mystery Messages' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet How many gardening tool badges have you earned so far? Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com You Are a Gardener® and the #PullYourweeds® Blog are rooted in empowering kids with a shared emotional language to use at home and in school through the use of our book, blog, videos, school programs, teacher services and more!

Hello Gardeners, Sometimes after I get tucked into bed, I start to think about all sorts of scary things and I don't want to fall asleep.I know I am tired but I don't like being alone in the dark.Please help me turn my weed into a seed! Dear Gardener Leah, Falling asleep on your own can be a big weed for gardeners of all ages! The wonderful news is there are lots of gardening tools you can try to help you fall asleep and wake up feeling rested! One of our favorites is called "Count Your Flowers". All you have to do is anytime you feel scared think of all the things that you are grateful for and things that make you happy, like your family, your friends, playing games...Think of as many things as you can and if you start to fell scared again, keep counting more flowers. ~Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan Here some more helpful 'Gardening Tools' and tips to help gardeners fall asleep and wake up feeling rested: -Deep Breathing Exercises -Reading Your Favorite Books -Screen Free For At Least 1 Hour Before Bedtime -Consistent Routines, Structure & Schedules Before Bed Click on the Gardening Tool Badge above to learn more about this helpful "Gardening Tool'! --> Hey gardeners, do you want Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan to help you turn your weed into a seed? Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com for a chance to be featured!

A few months ago when we first connected with Mr. Brendan Maurice, School Counselor of George E. Wilson Elementary School in Hamilton, NJ he was looking for a student assembly that complimented their school's 'Aware Because We Care' SEL theme. His intention was to find a program to help empower his 500 students with a positive mindset for cultivating awareness and appreciation that together we can all make a difference. Our #PullYourWeeds® SEL assembly helped to foster this message by introducing the students to the You Are a Gardener vocabulary and mindset and healthy 'gardening tools' to help them cultivate a deeper appreciation for inclusivity, self-confidence, kindness, positive coping strategies, grit and respect. We have the greatest appreciation for Mr. Maurice and connecting with the George E. Wilson Elementary students. It was a wonderful way to complete our 2022/2023 #PullYourWeeds® School Tour. "Gardener Shanna makes connections through rhyme with a growing message for students and adult connections about the power of feelings and being your best self". Gardener Shanna puts details into providing students an engaging story experience with Social Emotional Learning that helps make those connections with learners in providing strategies from within. Thank you again for the opportunity as well in meeting you and coming to Wilson! We are grateful. We will continue to be in touch. " ~Mr. Brendan Maurice, School Counselor, George E. Wilson Elementary School As we celebrate our blossoming journey with Mr. Maurice and the students of Wilson Elementary school, let us remember that the power to shape a brighter future lies in the hands of our children. Together, we can cultivate a world where emotional intelligence thrives by empowering the next generation to grow forward feeling confident and calm. Is your school ready to dig into the #PullYourWeeds SEL Program? Join us on this incredible journey with You Are a Gardener®—where young hearts blossom, emotions are embraced, and personal growth flourishes. Together, let's #PullYourWeeds® and nurture a future filled with confidence, resilience, and joy! Email us at flowers@youareagardener.com

Hello gardeners! Today Gardener Kelsey is showing us how to make Flower Bookmarks in 5 minutes or less. This fun and quick craft is great for gardeners of all ages and they make the perfect gifts to give and to get. So...if you are looking for a last minute teacher gift, then scroll down to learn how to make your our Flower Bookmarks. Scroll down to earn to read the social and emotional benefits of this craft and scroll all the way down to earn your Gardening Tool badge for this activity << PRESS PLAY TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE FLOWER BOOKMARKS WITH GARDENER KELSEY >> Materials Needed For DIY 5 Minute Flower Bookmarks Fresh Flowers Paper Towel Packing Tape or Contact Paper Scissors Pick some fresh flowers from your garden or from a bouquet. Lay your fresh flowers on a paper towel and cover them with another paper towel. Put them in the microwave and put something heavy on top of them like a plate. Put on low for 30 seconds, take them out and if it looks like they still have moisture coming out, repeat the process until your flowers are completely dry. You can also skip this step entirely if you are using dried flowers. Once your flowers are completely dry, arrange them on a piece of tape in any pattern you like. When your design is finished, cover with another piece of tape and trim the edges with a scissor to make them match up. Gardener Kelsey's Tip: Make sure the flowers are completely dry or they can mold in the bookmark if they have dampness. DIY Flower Bookmarks Have Gardener Roots In: 🌼Inside & Outside Craft 🌼Appreciation For Nature 🌼Encourages Present & Positive Thinking 🌼Stimulates Creativity 🌼Requires Minimal Materials 🌼Can Be Done At Home or In School 🌼Develops Fine Motor Skills 🌼Encourages Self-Confidence 🌼Screen Free Activity A copy of our book and your Flower Bookmark would make a beautiful gift for a teacher, family member or friend! Get your signed copy today, click the link below! Hey gardeners, did you make our 5 Minute Flower Bookmarks? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Flower Bookmarks' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet. We would love to see pictures of your flower prints...email us at flowers@youareagardener.com You Are a Gardener® and the #PullYourWeeds® Blog are rooted in empowering children, teachers and families with a variety of 'gardening tools' to help manage stress/big emotions and encouraging gardeners to feel confident & calm. Most featured exercises and activities can be done in school and at home and are appropriate for gardeners of all ages. To earn more Gardening Tool Badges & download your FREE Collectors Sheet...Click Here!

Gardener Aidan Age 12 & Gardener Anna Age 14 You Are a Gardener®️ was written for these two gardeners right here when they were just five and seven years old. The mindset of our book and platform has been our family’s foundation for mental health, personal growth and individual success. You Are a Gardener® has changed our lives, and as we grow the roots only grow deeper. Even though this looks like a children's book, the message is truly ageless. "We are all gardeners growing the most beautiful gardens inside of our souls. Our flowers are a joyful feelings, happy thoughts and emotions. Our weeds are our stress, sadness and worries. As gardeners, you’ve got to Pull Your Weeds! The most powerful gardening tool you have to pull your weeds is talking about your ‘weeds’ with someone you trust like a parent, friend, teacher, mentor or counselor. As gardeners there are tons and tons of gardening tools available to us to help us feel calm and confident especially during stressful times. Some of our favorite gardening tools are breathing exercises, journaling, arts & crafts, outdoor activities, cooking & baking, beading… Building a healthy & positive ‘Gardening Tool Box’ is what gardening is all about. So what do you say gardener? Are you ready to dig in? Let’s grow!" For a limited time only, Mention code 𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖 and get 𝟏𝟎% 𝐎𝐟𝐟 your order! Click the button below to shop now.

Last summer when we connected with Dr. Michele Cone, the Chief School Administrator of the Califon School we jumped at the chance to team up with this wonderful school for the entire 2022/2023 school year with custom SEL programs for their students, teachers and families. This idyllic school is nestled in the pastoral back roads of Hunterdon County, NJ. Driving up to their campus is like driving through a Norman Rockwell painting; passing farms, rolling hills, historical bridges, and wide open skies. The close knit and small community of Califon has 100 students total in grades K-8 in their school. What made this experience extra special for us was this was the first time we got to work and connect directly with middle school aged students. In efforts to keep our SEL program age appropriate for them, we created a custom Peer Gardening Program for the older students to team up with their younger classmates on You Are a Gardener® based projects throughout the year. Through the course of the school year with multiple in-person school wide assemblies, working with their staff on our One-Click SEL Program for teachers and a private web link for their families to keep it 'growing' at home, this overall experience took major root! To celebrate all the Gardener Growth at the Califon School this year, we teamed up with the middle school students for one last Peer Gardening Project and worked together to create our signature Humongous Hopscotch for the elementary students. Breaking off into groups to create the hopscotch designs and stepping back to look at how beautifully all the pieces came together was very symbolic of our year at Califon. (Scroll down to watch a video that will make you jump for joy!) We are so grateful for Dr. Cone and all her interest and support of our programs this year. Her sincere connection with her students, staff and community creates such a nurturing, supportive and successful environment. We can't wait to see where it' grows'! << PRESS PLAY TO WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE CALIFON SCHOOL'S HUMONGOUS CELEBRATION >> << PRESS PLAY TO WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE CALIFON SCHOOL'S HUMONGOUS CELEBRATION >> All the middle school students jumped in and helped create a spectacular Humongous Hopscotch for their younger classmates! It was a GIANT hit! Gardener Aidan jumped at the chance to help create the Humongous Hopscotch at the Califon School at their Gardener Culmination Celebration. He was a HUGE help and it was so wonderful to share this experience with him! The elementary students were literally jumping for joy! Thank you to Dr. Cone and the staff for welcoming our program and helping it taking it root! Thank you to the students of the Califon School for keeping it 'growing'! You are gardeners! Another big finish to the Califon School Gardener Culmination Event was a HUMONGOUS Certificate of Accomplishment for the HUMONGOUS achievements made this year! Is your school or group ready to dig into the #PullYourWeeds® SEL Programs? Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com to book a demo, arrange a meeting or to get a quote.

The seed for the Matthew Jago School in Woodbridge, NJ was planted last Spring when Ms. Renee Bischoff, a Reading Specialist from their school was tasked with acquiring some new SEL porgrams for their 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students and teachers. Throughout the course of this school year their their students, teachers and families all dug into the You Are a Gardener® mindset through multiple in-person student assemblies, our One-Click SEL program for their teachers and a private web link for their families to access our our family workshop and resources. Getting to know this group of gardeners throughout the year was a wonderfully rewarding experience, and just this week we celebrated all their 'gardener growth' with a fun outdoor Gardener Culmination Event at their school. There is so much kindness, support and respect within their community. It was so wonderful to see all the students interacting and encouraging one another at the different Gardener stations. So many of the students went out of their way to introduce themselves and talk about all that they have learned this year. A special thank you to Gardener Ethan for making me feel so welcome, Gardener Robert for teaching his peers how to make our Flower Fortune Tellers, and Gardeners' Camryn & Phoebe for gifting me their adorable foxes! We also want to extend a HUGE thank you to Ms. Bischoff for rooting for us and working so hard to get our program in her school and especially for helping us coordinate all the in-person events and program launches...You are a gardener! Matthew Jago You Are a Gardener® Culmination Event May 23, 2023 We had 6 Gardener Tool Stations Set Up For Our Matthew Jago Culimination Event: Fox Origami, Coloring Activities, Flower Fortune Tellers, Beading, Guided Drawing Of Our Fox & Certificate Signing This was one FOXTASTIC event! The students loved digging into our signature Fox origami station. Each fox was unique and special just like all gardeners are unique and special too! Our Flower Fortune Tellers & Coloring Sheets Are Wonderful Gardening Tools To Use To Help Gardeners Relax, have Fun & Be Creative! We think that learning all about flowers, weeds, seeds, pulling your weeds and gardener tools is so HUGELY important, that we celebrated with a GIANT Certificate Of Accomplishment for all the students to sign and keep in their school! Thank you Matthew Jago School for digging into the #PullYourWeeds® SEL Program this school year. We have had so much fun 'growing' together & learning lots of new gardening tools along the way! We wish you all a bright and beautiful summer.

We have had lot of schools reach out this year inquiring about specialty services for their School Counselors. With 'necessity being the mother of invention', this 2023/2024 school year we we will be offering One-On-One, customized SEL services exclusively for elementary school counselors. #PullYourWeeds® Services & Programs For School Counselors 👉We will work one-on-one with your School Counselor(s) to create an easy, extremely cost effective program that works best for your school. 👉We will customize our One-Click SEL program exclusively for your School Counselor(s). 👉We will create a Peer Gardening Programs based on the needs of your students. 👉We will provide customized activities and resources for your school. 👉We will work with your budget...guaranteed! Our services and programs just keep growing and growing! Have your School Counselor(s) connect with us today and learn more about the one-on-one SEL services & programs we offer. We work with elementary schools Nationwide! Email us at flowers@youareagardener.com to get 'growing'!