A Guide to the Best of Southern California : FOR KIDS : The Gardening Primer

BIRDS, SNAILS, PETS, SIBLINGS and other back-yard pests can devastate the young aspiring gardener. “A Kid’s First Book of Gardening” kit (Running Press, $13) can help a child grow a green thumb. Each contains packets of guaranteed-to-grow seeds and a reusable windowsill greenhouse with a clear plastic dome that allows kids to check on their crops daily so they won’t miss seeing their seeds sprouting. Accompanying the kit is an activity book of gardening basics as well as such enticements as how to make a wigwam out of pumpkin vines.

“A Kid’s First Book of Gardening” kit is available at Every Picture Tells a Story, 836 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 962-5420; and at Crown Books and B. Dalton bookstores.