Took out some overgrown bushes last year and have a few more to go this year - basically once the mess was thinned out wanted to give them a chance to either grow nicely or suffer the same fate. The plan is to put in some raised beds that we can put a combination of veggies and flowers in with walking paths between them. The area isn't big and the actual yields aren't important. It is more about enjoying the plants and watering them etc.

I don't find I get a lot of chance to garden while the kids are in care because they are so young they need constant watching so can't have my back towards them while I weed, etc. and instead have to lift them on and off swings, kick balls, etc. but when I am down to just the last one that is older and here longer I will often get a yard waste bag and he will help me pick up the stuff I snip off the plants.

I do have one of those dandelion weeders and will take it around the yard and yank out a few each playtime with the idea of trying to keep ahead of the weeds taking over.

I have been looking online for ideas of more natural landscaping for play and less toys and would really like to move in that direction but still need to watch the amount of stone, wood corners etc as parents don't seem to appreciate that kids get scraps when they play outside.