Gardening with Kids
Kids Love Gardens, Too
Want to have a really great time! Start gardening with kids It’s never too early to get kids out of doors and digging in the dirt. Gardeningwith kids is a great outdoor activity that includes the whole family and yields many short and long term benefits. So set a side a special place to garden with your kids, a part of your yard, a raised bed or even a big pot will do.
By making it fun, kids can take ownership in the creation and care of the garden, from selecting seeds of vegetables, to preparing the earth and planting, and finally harvesting and eating the results. Growing flowers is especially fun, some of them are even edible and can be included in salads. Gardening with kids is a wonderful way to spend quality time with your children and a healthy hobby they can enjoy their whole life. Working in the garden, children learn to cooperate together and share, and helps them build self esteem. They learn the value of time and patience, and have the reward of a tiny seed becoming a full grown plant from which they can share the fruits. Both children and adults benefit from a renewed connection with nature. And, gardening is a great stress reliever.
Having trouble getting your kids to eat good foods? Children are much more likely to eat fruits and vegetables they have grown themselves. Food fresh from the garden just tastes better. You know that it has been grown organically and it is better for you, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that keep us healthy. According to nationwide nutrition survey research, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables decrease risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease; improved memory; and lower blood sugar levels. So why not try. Benefits of gardening with your children:
Tips for gardening with your children:
- First and foremost, always make this a fun project, for yourself and your kids. Even if a crop fails, it’s not life or death, just another lesson in gardening.
- Determine your climate area before you start. Once you know your zone, you can find out what plants to select.
- Designate a place for your child’s garden.
- Talk about and demonstrate the importance of quality soil and soil preparation.
- Before starting the garden remove any large debris, rocks, and branches. This can be a family project.
- Let the kids determine the shape of the garden, draw it on paper then lay it out.
- Ask your kids what kind of plants, vegetables or flowers they like to plant and let your kids pick them out.
- Explain what will work well in your garden and what won’t. If they really want something you don’t think will work, seeds aren’t very expensive so try it anyway. If planning vegetable gardens, show row spacing, and distance between plants.
- Let them help in the selection of seeds and blossoming plants at the nursery. Let your child do the money calculations.
- Depending on your kid’s age, let him/she dig, weed, and/or water. This is a great way for your child to explore and learn.
- Get them their own gardening tools in the right size for them. Nothing will motivate a little gardener more than having their own shovel, gardening gloves, watering pail, and colored rubber boots.
- Plant some fast growing seeds (like radishes) to keep the child's interest.
- Watch the plants grow and enjoy time together in nurturing nature.
Gardening is all about having fun and learning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or try something different.
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