Gardening Kids
Given a little encouragement, most kids will become totally enthralled by the magic of gardening, especially if they have their own section of the garden or a pot or two to look after.
Getting dirty and watching something grow is very exciting and kids will be most excited about growing something they can eat. Giving them their own pot plant to care for helps teach kids responsibility and teaches them to follow rules. If it’s something they can eat like a strawberry or a flower in their favourite colour, they’ll be rewarded too.
First time gardening kids can be impatient and may lose interest if they don’t see results quickly. Something as easy as alfalfa or bean sprouts can be grown in their bedroom on the window sill.
Involve your child from the beginning. Allow them to help you sow the seeds or plant the seedling. You can even let them sprinkle seeds in a groove that spells out their name. Teach them when to water their plant and how to care for it.
Growing a giant sunflower
In early Spring or Summer, allow your assistant gardener to pick a spot in the garden with plenty of sun but near a wall of fence so that the sunflower will be sheltered from the wind. Let you child sow the seeds by pushing them down into the solid, at least 1cm. As the seeds grow, make sure they are well watered. Your little one can help with a watering can. It will take about 10 weeks for the sunflower to reach its full size – bigger than your little gardener!
Remember to have rules that kids can follow:
Don’t touch someone else’s garden unless you have their permission.
Never eat anything in the garden unless you know it is okay.
Ask their owner before you pick flowers.
Wear sunscreen and a hat as a routine when outside in the garden.
