Gardening with children is one of the most popular pastimes for many parents and grandparents. It’s relaxing, productive and brings with it a huge sense of pride and achievement. Getting your children interested in gardening delivers all of the above, with the added bonus of being an easy introduction to science and nature. There are several ways to introduce this wonderful hobby to little ones, and the following are just a few suggestions to get you started.
Getting Their Hands Dirty
Preparation is key for most things in life, and planting flowers or vegetables are no exception. The good news is that most kids love getting stuck into anything muddy, so pulling out some weeds and raking over the soil won’t seem like work at all to them. There are loads of mini gardening sets available which are perfect for little hands, so let them get stuck in, just be aware that they will probably want to adopt a few worms as pets!
Simple Starter Seeds
Sunflowers, Candy Tuft, Nasturtium and Love in a Mist are all renowned for their easy-to-grow properties. This makes them ideal starter seeds for a child’s first attempt at planting. Sunflowers, in particular, make a stunning display, and any child will be over the moon to have planted and nurtured a flower that ends up way taller than themselves! If there are space restrictions in your garden, pretty little Candy Tuft will easily fill a small area with an array of vibrant colours.
From Pot to Plate
Not all gardens lend themselves to growing flowers; if you don’t have such a space, you can still have fun with your children. Growing vegetables in pots are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s amazing what kids will eat when they know they’ve grown it themselves. Peas, potatoes, peppers and squash are very easy to grow, and they thrive in our climate. A small, portable greenhouse doesn’t need glass and is perfect for older or more experienced growers to produce plump, juicy tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers.
Stop the Boredom in its Tracks
So the soil has been prepared, the seeds are planted, and now we have the boring bit – waiting for them to grow. This is the crucial step as children aren’t known for their patience and may well get sick of waiting to see the green shoots and lose interest. A great way to stop this is to let them do crafty stuff to brighten up the garden or yard. Painting pots in bright colours, making a simple bird feeder or letting them create a ‘secret’ den are all things that are easy to implement and will stop the boredom from setting in.
Nothing sums up the magic of gardening quite like a child’s face when they see that first green shoot poking through the soil. They will be so proud of their achievement and will be hungry for more. They won’t realise much later that by planting those seeds, they have learned how to nurture, take responsibility and have a whole new level of respect for nature. Instil this in them at a young age, and it may well be a passion they have for life.
At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.