It’s true.

Our Sprouts preschool garden experiment, well, died.

Being entirely new at making anything grow, I had no plan for dealing with the record-cold April and the reality that frost always wins over veggies when push comes to shove.

I’m a little embarrassed, mildly comforted by the fact that a whole whack of people I know also lost their gardens (at least we can all replant together) and grateful that my mother-in-law rethought this whole process long before the last of the April frost killed off our poor squash, beans, carrots, cilantro and basil plants.

There are a few survivors.

Herbs like rosemary and oregano as well as radishes which we thought had suffered a frosty fate and lettuce that looks amazing for the pain it has suffered are all looking like they have weathered the weather. Everything remains in pots and seems to be, for now, flourishing.

But, really, we are beginning again.

It’s been a family event getting the raised beds installed in the backyard. Plantings are going in this week and, with any luck, veggies will be sprouting quite soon.

There is a reality to it all, though. I am not the woman to offer guidance on how to garden with your kiddos.

That’s why, very soon, you’ll be seeing a new green-thumbed mama making her debut on the website as your family-friendly guide to how to turn the dirt into dinner. This local mom/gardening guru will be taking over the SPROUTS column, making it a regular feature once again.

Look for her introduction soon.

My brown thumb and I have to go back to sulking in the veggie-free corner now:)