deadheading

I to am quite amused at the incredible tidy gardener "deadheading is essential".  Much as I love to gather seed and its almost adictive its so soothing, can't begin to keep up. When I was a child my grandmother allowed me to deadhead and collect the seed for next years garden with her.  Now when I do so in my garden I always think of her.  It makes me wonder if years from now, my granddaughter will gather seeds and thinik of me.  To anyone who has a baby or small child to garden with the most miraculous thing is to sit them on your lap (beginning at age 6 months) before a poppy, Calif poppy will do.  Look at the caps over the buds, look for one that is already seperating at the botton and changing color and show them how to "pull the hat off of the poppy".  What happens next is you watch with the baby or child as the poppy slowly unfolds in 6-10 minutes. ! ; This is wonderful, I did it with my granddaughter when whe was 6 months old, I don't see her often as she lives several hours away.  She is now 12 and when no one else is around she sits in my lap in the garden and we play pull the hats off the poppies.  I'm not sure how much longer she will do this but her parents and I are so grateful that she does.  I will always allow native poppies in my garden just for such occasions.  Carolyn 
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